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Need help to afford Medicare in Texas? Discover if one of Texas’s four Medicare Savings Programs could help you pay for Medicare Part A and Part B premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments.
Do you need help paying your Texas Medicare premiums? If you are eligible, a Texas Medicare Savings Program (MSP) might be able to help. Medicaid administers Medicare Savings Programs to help people with limited income and resources. These programs help those who qualify to afford Medicare in Texas.
You could get help paying your Medicare premiums if you qualify, including Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments.
There are four Medicare Savings Programs managed by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). Each program has a different income eligibility limitation, but the maximum accessible financial resources are nearly the same. Continue reading to see if you qualify for one of these programs:
For three of the four programs, the financial resources required are consistent. To qualify for the QMB, SLMB, or QI program, you should have limited financial resources.
This means that when you add up all of your resources as an individual, in 2022, those should value no more than $8,400. As a married couple, your maximum countable resources should be $12,600.
Agent tip:
“In 2022, if you have more than $8,400 in financial resources, or $12,600 as a married couple, you may not qualify for any Medicare Savings Program.“
The QDWI has even more stringent financial resources requirements. The maximum financial resources for an individual are $4,000 and $6,000 for a couple.
If you meet these financial resource requirements, continue reading to see if you qualify for one of Texas’s four Medicare Savings Programs.
Want expert advice from a local agent—or help to apply for a Medicare Savings Program in Texas? Call (623) 223-8884 or find your plan online now.
The Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Program could pay for Part A & B premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance if you are entitled to Medicare Part A and meet income and financial resource requirements.
As a QMB, you do not receive standard state Medicaid benefits. Instead, you would receive a QMB identification card to show your medical providers. This card would be provided by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). Your QMB eligibility would begin on the first day of the month after you are certified for QMB benefits.
To be eligible for the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary Program, you must be eligible for Medicare Part A and meet income & financial resource requirements.
Your maximum gross monthly income must be equal to or less than the limits set for individuals or couples. In 2022, the maximum gross income for an individual in Texas is $1,153, and for a couple, it’s $1,546.
If you and your spouse are applying for QMB, you should use the maximum gross monthly income limit for a couple. If only one of you is eligible for QMB, use the individual income limit to see whether you’re qualified as an individual.
What should you consider as income?
To qualify for the QMB program, you need to have limited financial resources. This means that when you add up all of your resources as an individual, those should value no more than $8,400, in 2022. As a couple, your maximum countable resources should be $12,600.
See the top of this article for “Maximum Financial Resources” to see what should be included and excluded when accounting for your financial resources.
If eligible, the Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) Program will pay for your Medicare Part B premiums. If you receive Medicaid, you may also receive SLMB benefits. However, if you are SLMB-eligible, you will not get regular Medicaid benefits or a monthly medical identification card.
Your SLMB eligibility will begin the month of application, and if you meet all the criteria, medical coverage is eligible for three months before application.
The requirements for SLMB eligibility are similar to that of the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Program—with one difference. You must have an income higher than 100% but less than 120% of the Federal Poverty Level. Federal Poverty Level limits are updated annually by the Census Bureau.
To be eligible for the Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) Program, you must be entitled to Medicare Part A, meet income requirements, and have limited financial resources.
Are you wondering what the maximum gross monthly income for greater than 100%, but less than 120% of the poverty level? As an individual, in 2022, you’d need a monthly income between $1,133 and $1,379. As a couple, your monthly income would need to be between $1,526 and $1,851.
If you and your spouse apply for the SLMB program, you must use the couple’s monthly income range. However, if only one of you is eligible, use the individual monthly income range to determine if you’re eligible separately.
What should you consider as income?
To qualify for the SLMB program, you need to have limited financial resources. This means that when you add up all of your resources as an individual, those should value no more than $8,400. As a couple, your maximum countable resources should be $12,600.
See the top of this article for “Maximum Financial Resources” to see what should be included and excluded when accounting for your financial resources.
The Qualifying Individual (QI) Program will cover your Medicare Part B premiums if you meet eligibility requirements. You cannot be eligible or receive regular Medicaid and the QI program coverage at the same time. If you are QI-eligible, you will not get regular Medicaid benefits or a medical identification card.
To be eligible for the Qualifying Individual Program, you must be eligible for Medicare Part A and meet income and financial resource requirements.
To be eligible for the Qualifying Individual Program, you must have an income of at least 120% but less than 135% of the federal poverty level. Federal Poverty Level limits are updated annually by the Census Bureau.
Eligibility for QI coverage is decided for each calendar year, and your eligibility may begin the month that you apply for coverage. You are eligible for three months prior medical coverage under the QI program if you meet all the criteria. However, the three-month prior period cannot extend back into the previous calendar year.
Are you wondering what the maximum gross monthly income for greater than 120%, but less than 135% of the poverty level? If you’re an individual, your monthly income range is a minimum of $1,379 to a maximum amount of less than $1,549. If you and your spouse need help together, you should have a minimum monthly income of $1,851, but no more than $2,080.
If you and your spouse are applying for the Qualifying Individual Program, you need to use the couple’s monthly income range. But if only one of you is eligible, use the individual monthly income range to see if you’re eligible on your own.
To qualify for the QI program, you need to have limited financial resources. This means that when you add up all of your resources as an individual, those should value no more than $8,400. As a couple, your maximum countable resources should be $12,600.
See the top of this article for “Maximum Financial Resources” to see what should be included and excluded when accounting for your financial resources.
Not sure which Medicare Savings Program you’re eligible for—or which to apply to? Speak with a local agent who can guide you through your choices. Call (623) 223-8884 or review your plan options online.
The Qualified Disabled and Working Individual (QDWP) Program will pay for only your Medicare Part A premium if you are eligible. You cannot qualify for regular Medicaid and QDWI at the same time.
To be eligible for the Qualified Disabled and Working Individual Program, you must be under 65 years of age, be entitled to benefits under Medicare Part A, not otherwise be eligible for Medicaid, and meet income and financial resource requirements.
If you are a couple applying QDWI, your monthly income should be a maximum of $6,189. For an individual, the maximum gross income is $4,615. Income must be less than or equal to the maximum gross income limits.
If you and your spouse are applying for the Qualified Disabled and Working Individual Program, you need to use the couple’s monthly income range. But if only one of you is eligible for the program, use the individual monthly income range to see if you’re eligible on your own.
What should you consider as income?
To qualify for the QDWI program, you need to have limited financial resources. This means that when you add up all of your resources as an individual, they should value no more than $4,000. As a couple, the maximum resources are $6,000.
See the top of this article for “Maximum Financial Resources” to see what should be included and excluded when accounting for your financial resources.
Type of Medicare Savings Program |
Monthly Gross Income Eligibility |
Financial Resources Eligibility |
Date of Medicare Savings Program Enrollment |
Benefits Covered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) |
At or below 100% of the Federal Poverty Level, plus $20 income disregard.Single: $1,153; Married: $1,546 |
Single: $8,400 Married: $12,600 |
The first of the month following the month, eligibility is documented. |
Part A: Hospital deductible, Hospital copays, SNF copays, Monthly premium.Part B: Annual deductible, Monthly premium, 20% coinsurance. |
Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) |
Between 100%-120% of Federal Poverty Level, plus $20 income disregard.Single: $1,133 – $1,379; Married: $1,526 – $1,851 |
Single: $8,400 Married: $12,600 |
3 months retroactive from the date of application if you meet eligibility criteria during those months. |
Part B monthly premium |
Qualifying Individual (QI) |
Between 121%-135% of Federal Poverty Level, plus $20 income disregard.Single: $1,379 – $1,549; Married: $1,851 – $2,080 |
Single: $8,400 Married: $12,600 |
3 months retroactive from the date of application if you meet eligibility criteria during those months. |
Part B monthly premium |
Qualified Disabled Working Individual (QDWI) |
Single: $4,615; Married: $6,189 |
Single: $4,000 Married: $6,000 |
3 months retroactive from the date of application if you meet eligibility criteria during those months. |
Part A monthly premium |
Source: National Council on Aging
Medicare Savings Programs help people who are already on Medicare. Not yet on Medicare? Enroll in Medicare Part A and then apply for a Medicare Savings Program in Texas.
Otherwise, if you have Part A and your income and financial resources are within the limits of the program you want to apply for, choose to apply by paper or online:
Even if your income or financial resources are higher than the amounts listed in this article, you may be eligible.
Reach out to your local Medicare agent to discuss your eligibility, any questions you may have, or assist you in applying for benefits. Call (623) 223-8884 or review your Medicare plan options online.
Last updated: April 28, 2022
Read more by Sid Martinez
I am a Spanish-speaking Texas Life and Health Insurance Licensed Agent and have been helping people with Medicare since 2011. When not working, you can find me exploring new places in the Lone Star State, or watching movies and TV shows.
