Medicare Savings Program 2019

The following programs administered by Local Departments of Social Services and the Human Resources Administration in New York City can assist individuals/couples in paying for their Medicare Premiums.

The income listed below reflects the $20 monthly SSI general income disregard.

Full Medicaid for Dual Eligibles (Individuals eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid)

This program pays for a wide range of medical care, services and supplies as well as premiums, coinsurance and deductible payments for Medicare beneficiaries. The 2019 income and resource requirements for those applicants who are aged (65 or older), or certified blind or certified disabled are:

  Income at or Below Resources at or Below
Single: $859 per month $15,450
Couple: $1,267 per month $22,800

Note: Medicaid allows a $20 deduction from applicant's gross monthly income when calculating eligibility for MSP. The income listed below reflects the $20 monthly SSI general income disregard.

Qualified Medicare Beneficiary Program (QMB)

This program can pay for the Medicare Part A and/or Part B premium. An individual can be eligible for QMB only or QMB and Medicaid. This program also pays for the Medicare Parts A and B coinsurance and deductibles. The 2019 income requirements for this program are:

  Income at or Below 100% FPL + $20
Single: $1,041 per month $1,061
Couple: $1,410 per month $1,430

 

Specified Low Income Medicare Beneficiary Program (SLMB)

This program pays for the Medicare Part B premium only. Individuals can be eligible for SLMB only or for SLMB and Medicaid (with a spenddown). The applicant must have Medicare Part A in order to be eligible for the program. The 2019 income requirements for this program are:

  Income Below 120% FPL +$20
Single: $1,249 per month $1,269
Couple: $1,691 per month $1,711

Qualified Individual (QI)

This program pays for the Medicare Part B premium only. Individuals cannot be eligible for QI and Medicaid. The applicant must have Medicare Part A. States are allotted money for this program on a yearly basis. The 2019 income requirements for this program are:

  Income Below 135% FPL +$20
Single: $1,406 per month $1,426
Couple: $1,903 per month $1,923

Qualified Disabled and Working Individual (QDWI)

This program pays for the Medicare Part A premium only,not Part B. The applicant must be a disabled worker under age 65 who lost Part A benefits because of return to work. The income limits are based on 200% of the federal poverty level but they include earned income deductions. Because the QDWI program does not count the first $65 of income that is earned from work, the income limits are more than 200% of the FPL. One-half of the earned income remaining after subtracting $65, is also deducted from gross monthly earned income. The 2019 income and resource requirements for this program are:

  Income up to 200% FPL +$20 Resources at or Below
Single: $2,082 per month $2,102 $4,000
Couple: $2,820 per month $2,840 $6,000

Applications for these programs may be obtained from the Medicaid office at the local (county) Department of Social Services. You may print the application from the link below. All applications for the Medicare Savings Program must be mailed to the local Department of Social Services where you live.

If you have questions, the phone number to call for the Medicaid Helpline is 1-800-541-2831.