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In short Medicare Savings Programs: the four types 2026 income and resource limits Extra Help with drug costs How to apply Keep other costs in view Common questions SourcesTwo programs exist specifically for people who struggle with Medicare costs. Medicare Savings Programs, run by your state, can pay your Part B premium and sometimes other costs. Extra Help, a federal program, lowers what you pay for prescription drugs. Many people who qualify never apply, and Medicare.gov says to apply even if you are not sure.
Medicare Savings Programs: the four types
States run four Medicare Savings Programs. The Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program is the strongest: it pays Part A and Part B premiums, deductibles, coinsurance and copayments, and providers are not allowed to bill you for Medicare-covered services. The Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) and Qualifying Individual (QI) programs pay the Part B premium. The Qualified Disabled and Working Individuals program helps certain working people with disabilities.
2026 income and resource limits
Limits rise each year and are a bit higher in Alaska and Hawaii. For 2026, the monthly income limits are: QMB, $1,350 for an individual and $1,824 for a married couple; SLMB, $1,616 and $2,184; QI, $1,816 for an individual (couples have a higher limit). The resource limit is $9,950 for an individual and $14,910 for a couple. Some states ignore certain income or resources, so you may qualify even above these numbers.
Extra Help with drug costs
Extra Help is a Medicare program that pays Part D premiums, deductibles and most drug cost sharing for people with limited income and resources, and it wipes out any Part D late enrollment penalty while you have it. You get it automatically if you have full Medicaid, get help from a Medicare Savings Program, or receive Supplemental Security Income. Everyone else applies through Social Security. In 2026, people with Extra Help pay no more than $5.10 for each covered generic drug and $12.65 for each covered brand-name drug.
How to apply
Apply for Medicare Savings Programs through your state Medicaid office. Apply for Extra Help through Social Security, online, by phone or at a local office; applying for Extra Help also starts a Medicare Savings Program application in your state unless you opt out. Your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program, called SHIP, gives free one-on-one help with both.
Keep other costs in view
Help with premiums and drugs does not change what Original Medicare itself covers. Our guides on what Original Medicare does not cover, the free annual wellness visit and Part D costs in 2026 fill in the rest of the picture.
Common questions
Is it worth applying if I might be over the limit?
Yes. Medicare.gov says to apply even if you think you will not qualify, because states count income and resources differently and some disregard part of yours.
Will a savings program affect my Medicaid?
Medicare Savings Programs are run by state Medicaid offices and often work alongside Medicaid. If you have full Medicaid, you get Extra Help automatically.
Do I have to reapply every year?
States review eligibility periodically and will contact you. For Extra Help, if you still meet the limits you keep getting it, and Medicare only mails you if something changes.
Can Pymander help me figure out if I qualify?
Pymander can explain the programs and help you list what to ask your state Medicaid office or SHIP counselor. It does not enroll anyone in any program. Pymander is available in all 50 states.