2013 Income and Resource Levels for the Medicare Savings Programs

Medicare Savings Programs, sometimes abbreviated as “MSP,” are discussed in full beginning on page 16 of Managing Your Medicare. Remember that you apply for the Medicare Savings Programs with your state’s Medicaid program, and that states’ exceptions and disregards for the income limits given below, not to speak of their differing interpretations and waivers as to what does or doesn’t count as income, means that if you are anywhere near the limits shown below, you should always apply. (The income limits are somewhat higher than these in both Alaska and Hawaii.)

The resource limits are also shown (these are the same for all states), but again, states have differing interpretations as what counts or doesn’t count as a resource, and some states impose NO resource limit. Note that the resource limits shown below do NOT include the burial allowance of $1,500 (individual) or $3,000 (couple), but are often shown with these added in.

For the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program (which pays your Part B monthly premium, your Part A and Part B deductibles and your Part B coinsurances), your income must be at or below 100 percent of the federal poverty level, which is now:

For an individual, $11,490 annually, or $958 monthly.
For a couple, $15,510 annually, or $1,293 monthly.
For each additional person in a family, add $4,020 annually, or $335 monthly.

The resource limits are $7,080 for an individual and $10,620 for a couple.


For the Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) program (which pays your Part B monthly premium), your income must be at or below 120 percent of the federal poverty level, which is now:

For an individual, $13,788 annually, or $1,149 monthly.
For a couple, $18,612 annually, or $1,551 monthly.
For each additional person in a family, add $4,824 annually, or $402 monthly.

The resource limits are $7,080 for an individual and $10,620 for a couple.


For the Qualifying Individual (QI) program (which pays your Part B monthly premium), your income must be at or below 135 percent of the federal poverty level, which is now:

For an individual, $15,512 annually, or $1,293 monthly.
For a couple, $20,939 annually, or $1,745 monthly.
For each additional person in a family, add $5,427 annually, or $452 monthly.

The resource limits are $7,080 for an individual and $10,620 for a couple.


For the Qualified Disabled & Working Individuals (QDWI) program (which pays your Part A monthly premium), your income must be at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level, which is now:

For an individual, $22,980 annually, or $1,915 monthly.
For a couple, $31,020 annually, or $2,585 monthly.
For each additional person in a family, add $8,040 annually, or $670 monthly.

The resource limits are $4,000 for an individual and $6,000 for a couple.