Medicare Savings Programs

The State of Idaho has programs that may help you.  Save money if you have a low income and low assets.

Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Coverage can pay for:

• Medicare premiums (Part A Hospital Insurance and Part B Medical Insurance);
• Medicare co-insurance; and
• Medicare deductibles.

To qualify, you must be:

• Entitled to enroll in Part A Medicare coverage;
• An Idaho resident; and
• A U.S. citizen or a legal non-citizen.

In addition, your 2009 monthly income must be near or below $902.50 for an individual or $1,214.17 for a couple.

Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) Benefits

• Medicaid pays the Medicare Part B medical insurance premium.

To qualify, you must be:

• Entitled to enroll in Part A Medicare hospital insurance coverage (Medicaid will not pay the Part A premium);
• An Idaho resident; and
• A U.S. citizen or a legal non-citizen.

For SLMB (Medicaid pays the Medicare Part B medical insurance premium), your 2009 monthly income must be near or below $1,083 for an individual, and near or below $1,457 for a couple.

For  SLMB2 (Medicaid pays the Medicare Part B medical insurance premium), your 2009 monthly income must be near or below $1,218.38 for an individual, and near or below $1,639.13 for a couple.

If you have more income than this, you still may be eligible because some income does not count. Your assets must not be worth more than $4,000 for an individual and $6,000 for a couple. Assets include items such as cash, stocks, CDs, etc., but not your house. One car is exempt and you can have some money set aside for burial expenses.

Where can you apply for Medicare Savings Programs?

Contact the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare office nearest you.