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MSPs

Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) are another way to get help paying for Medicare costs. To be eligible, you must have Medicare Part A and meet income and asset guidelines.

MSPs

What are MSPs (Medicare Savings Programs)?

Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) can save you save on Medicare expenses by helping pay for some of those costs.

There are four kinds of MSPs:

  • Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Program
  • Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) Program
  • Qualified Individual (QI) Program, and
  • Qualified Disabled and Working Individuals (QDWI) Program.

What are the QMB, SLMB, QI and QDWI programs?

The Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Program helps pay premiums for Part A and Part B and also deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. Your monthly income must be below 100 per cent of the annual federal poverty level which is announced every year.

The Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) Program will only take care of your Medicare Part B monthly premium, provided you are eligible for Part A. The monthly income must be between 100 per cent and 120 per cent of the federal poverty level. States may modify these income guidelines.

The Qualified Individual (QI) program helps low-income individuals pay for their Medicare Part B premiums. You may be eligible if you have income which is between 120 and 135 per cent of the federal poverty level (FPL) and have limited assets.

You must apply every year to avail QI benefits which are granted on a first-come, first-served basis. Those individuals who availed benefits in the previous year get priority.

The Qualified Disabled and Working Individual (QDWI) Program pays only for Medicare Part A premiums. You may be eligible if

  • you are disabled, under 65 and working, and
  • you have lost your premium-free Part A coverage, and
  • you are ineligible for any medical assistance from the state you live in (Medicaid), and
  • you meet the income and resource limits set by your state.

Can I qualify for any of the MSPs? 

Any individual who is enrolled in Medicare, either because of age or disability with limited income and assets can qualify for MSPs.

Rules to assess income and assets (stocks, property etc) vary by State. Make sure you understand the guidelines established by your State. 

                                                                                                                                                  

Click here to learn more about Medicare, its various Parts, different enrollment periods and your costs. 

We have also created videos to help you better understand various topics related to Medicare. Select and watch a video explaining the topic of your interest in a simple and intuitive manner.

Remember that you cannot choose just any combination of Parts and Plans. Let Lighted Road Insurance guide you step-by-step through the Medicare ecosystem and help you in selecting the right plan(s) for your needs. 

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General / Informational Disclaimers

This website (LightedRoadInsurance.com) contains information about and access to insurance plans for eligible and soon to be eligible Medicare beneficiaries and their advisors. It is operated by Lighted Road Insurance Services, a licensed health insurance agency in the State of California.

LightedRoadInsurance.com and Lighted Road Insurance Services are not endorsed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), or any other government agency.

For a complete list of available plans please contact 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048), 24 hours a day/7 days a week or consult www.medicare.gov.

The purpose of this communication is the solicitation of insurance. Contact may be made by an insurance agent/producer or insurance company. Enrollment in any plan depends on contract renewal.

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Last Updated: 01-10-2021