Skip to main content
National Council on Aging logo. We believe every person deserves to age well. That’s why we’re on a path to improve the lives of 40 million older adults by 2030.

Medicare Savings Programs Eligibility and Coverage

The Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) are a set of benefits that are administered by state Medicaid agencies and help people pay for their Medicare costs.

Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) are divided into several programs:

These may go by slightly different names in different states.

QMB, SLMB, and QI pay for a person's Medicare Part B premium. (QMB also covers additional cost-sharing in Parts A and B.) QDWI helps pay for a person's Part A premium.

Using the Federal poverty guidelines released each January, we maintain this updated eligibility chart with state-specific information about the income and resource thresholds for the four Medicare Savings Programs that can help low-income Medicare beneficiaries pay their healthcare costs. Note that your state Medicaid agency may not implement the current year's guidelines until March/April, following formal publication by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

This chart is updated annually or as we receive news about states changing their MSP guidelines. 

Contact us if you would like to obtain a Word version of this chart for use/adaptation in training.

Stay informed

Newsletter

We'll send you resources to support independence, health, and economic security.

Get NCOA in Your Inbox

Choose where we'll send you resources to support your health and financial well-being. Select an option(s) below that best describes you to get communication that matches your interests.

This field is required.
This field is required.
Please enter a valid email address.