Medicare Savings Program (MSP) Eligibility Calculator 2026
Check whether you qualify for one of the four Medicare Savings Programs in 2026 — QMB, SLMB, QI, or QDWI — using federal income and asset limits. Enter your household size, monthly gross income, and countable assets (excluding home, primary car, and burial funds). The tool estimates how much you could save each month on Medicare Part A and Part B premiums plus deductibles. Based on Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (cms.gov) 2026 Federal Poverty Guidelines. 100% private — nothing leaves your browser.
What Are Medicare Savings Programs?
A Medicare Savings Program (MSP) is a state-administered, federally funded program that helps people with limited income and assets pay their Medicare costs. There are four tiers, each targeting a different segment of low-income Medicare beneficiaries. According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), more than 10 million Americans qualify for an MSP but an estimated 3 million eligible seniors are not enrolled simply because they do not know the program exists. The four tiers — QMB, SLMB, QI, and QDWI — together can save a beneficiary anywhere from $185 per month (SLMB pays only the Part B premium) up to $7,000+ per year (QMB pays Part A premium, Part B premium, all deductibles, and all coinsurance/copays). For 2026, the federal income limits are 100% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) for QMB, 120% FPL for SLMB, 135% FPL for QI, and 200% FPL for QDWI. Many states use higher limits than the federal floor — Connecticut, Maine, and New York all have expanded MSP rules — so applying through your state Medicaid office is essential even if our calculator shows you are slightly over the federal threshold.
QMB vs SLMB vs QI vs QDWI — How Each Tier Works
The Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program is the most generous tier. It pays your Part A premium (if any), Part B premium ($185/month in 2026), the Part A hospital deductible ($1,676), the Part B annual deductible ($257), and all Medicare coinsurance and copayments. QMB enrollees cannot legally be billed for Medicare cost-sharing by any provider that accepts Medicare — this is called QMB balance billing protection. The 2026 QMB monthly income limit is approximately $1,275 for an individual and $1,724 for a couple, with countable assets capped at $9,660 (single) or $14,470 (couple). The Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) program pays the Part B premium only, saving recipients $2,220 per year ($185 × 12). The Qualifying Individual (QI) program also pays only the Part B premium, but at higher income (up to 135% FPL) and is funded by limited federal block grants on a first-come-first-served basis each year. The Qualified Disabled and Working Individual (QDWI) program is narrow — it covers the Part A premium for working disabled individuals under age 65 who lost their premium-free Part A entitlement when they returned to work.
What Counts as Income and Assets in 2026
For MSP eligibility, monthly income includes Social Security benefits, pensions, retirement distributions, wages, interest, dividends, rental income, and most other gross income. The first $20 of any income each month is disregarded automatically by federal rule, and the first $65 of earned income (plus half of any earnings above that) is excluded as well — these earned income disregards mean a working senior often qualifies even when gross wages look high. Countable assets include checking accounts, savings, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, certificates of deposit, and the cash value of life insurance policies above $1,500. Excluded from countable assets: your primary home (regardless of value), one motor vehicle, household goods, personal effects, prepaid burial plots, and up to $1,500 in designated burial savings per person. The vast majority of seniors who think they have "too much in the bank" actually qualify because IRAs and 401(k) accounts in payment status (taking required distributions) are usually treated as income, not as countable assets, in many states.
How to Apply for a Medicare Savings Program
Each state administers its own MSP application even though the funding is federal. To apply, contact your state Medicaid office or your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) — call 1-800-MEDICARE for a free SHIP referral, or visit medicare.gov/basics/costs/help/medicare-savings-programs. You will need to bring proof of income (most recent Social Security award letter, pension statements, recent pay stubs), proof of assets (bank statements, brokerage statements), your Medicare card, and proof of identity and residency. Most states process applications within 45 days. If approved for QMB or SLMB, you are also automatically enrolled in the federal Extra Help (Low-Income Subsidy) program for Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage, which can save you another $500–$2,000 per year on prescriptions. There is no fee to apply, no penalty for being denied, and you can reapply every year if your income or assets change. Last updated: May 2026.