The Medicare Beneficiaries Savings Program assists low-income elderly or disabled individuals who are eligible for Medicare (available through the Social Security Administration) by paying for some or all of the associated costs of Medicare, specifically the Medicare Insurance Premiums and deductibles.  The Medicare Beneficiaries Savings Program is also referred to as the Buy-In program.

 

• Individuals with lower incomes may qualify to have their Medicare Parts A and B premiums and all Medicare co-insurance and deductibles paid for through the Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries (QMB) program.  Eligible individuals may also receive full Medical Assistance coverage for other services. 

 

• Individuals with somewhat higher incomes may qualify to have all or a portion of Medicare Part B premiums paid for through the Specified Low-Income Beneficiaries (SLMB) programs.  There are 2 different levels of benefits available through these programs, based on income: SLMB and SLMB135.  Individuals eligible for SLMB may also be eligible for Medicaid, but individuals eligible for SLMB135 may not otherwise be eligible for Medicaid. 

 

• The Qualified Disabled and Working Individuals (QDWI) program provides payment of Medicare Part A premiums for eligible working individuals with disabilities who are entitled to enroll in Medicare Part A, but who have lost Medicare Part A coverage due to earnings.  Individuals eligible for QDWI may not otherwise be eligible for Medicaid.

 

If an individual is residing with a spouse, the income and resources of both are used to determine eligibility.