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Medicare Savings Programs — Let Medicaid Pay Your Medicare Premiums and Sometimes More

Difficulty Easy Risk Low Applies To All (state-administered) Potential Savings Can eliminate the Part B premium and reduce other Medicare cost-sharing Last Verified 2026-04-04

Medicare Savings Programs — Let Medicaid Pay Your Medicare Premiums and Sometimes More

What Is It?

Medicare Savings Programs are state-run Medicaid programs that help people with limited income and resources pay Medicare costs. Depending on the program, the help may cover the Part B premium, the Part A premium, and sometimes deductibles, coinsurance, or copayments too.

For many people, this is one of the biggest overlooked ways to increase monthly cash flow because the Part B premium can disappear from the budget.

Do I Qualify?

  • You have Medicare or are in the process of getting it
  • Your income and resources are limited enough to fit one of the programs, or close enough that your state-specific rules still make it worth applying
  • You are willing to apply through your state Medicaid office
  • You want help with premiums or other Medicare cost-sharing

How It Works

  1. Apply through your state’s Medicaid system, not through a private insurer.
  2. The state decides which Medicare Savings Program fits your income and resources.
  3. If approved, the program can start covering some Medicare costs, often including the Part B premium.
  4. Many approved applicants also get Extra Help with Medicare drug costs automatically.

What Most People Don’t Know

  • These are not the same as Extra Help for Part D. But approval for a Medicare Savings Program often unlocks Extra Help automatically.
  • State rules matter. Federal limits are a starting point, but some states count income and resources differently or are more generous.
  • The QMB program is especially powerful. It can cover Part A and Part B premiums and also block billing for Medicare-covered deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments.
  • People skip this because they assume they are slightly over the limit. In practice, it is still often worth applying and letting the state decide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can these programs pay for?


A: Depending on the program, they can pay the Part B premium, Part A premium, and sometimes Medicare deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments.

Where do I apply?


A: You apply through your state Medicaid office or state assistance process, not through Medicare Advantage or a private insurance company.

Is this the same as Extra Help for prescriptions?


A: No. But qualifying for a Medicare Savings Program often also gives you Extra Help with Part D drug costs.

What if I think I am slightly over the income limit?


A: Apply anyway. Some states have more favorable counting rules than people expect.

Which program is the strongest?


A: QMB is often the most valuable because it can cover premiums and Medicare cost-sharing for covered services.

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