Health Services

Medicare Savings Program

You can get help from the state of Kansas to assist in paying for Medicare premiums. In some cases, Medicare Savings Programs may also pay Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) deductibles, coinsurance, and co-payments if you meet certain conditions.

There are four kinds of Medicare Savings Programs in the state of Kansas:

  • Qualified Medicare Beneficiary Program
  • Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary Program
  • Qualifying Individual Program
  • Qualified Disabled and Working Individuals Program

If you have income from working, you still may qualify for these 4 programs even if your income is higher than the income limits listed for each program.

Click here for more information: Medicare Savings Programs

1. Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Program

QMB income & resource limits in 2022:

  • Individual monthly income limit*-$1,153
  • Married couple monthly income limit*-$1,546
  • Individual resource limit-$8,400
  • Married couple resource limit-$12,600

Program helps pay for:

  • Part A premiums
  • Part B premiums
  • Deductibles, coinsurance, and co-payments for services and items Medicare covers

2. Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) Program

The SLMB Program is a state program that helps pay Part B premiums for people who have Part A and limited income and resources.

SLMB income & resource limits in 2022:

  • Individual monthly income limit*-$1,379
  • Married couple monthly income limit*-$1,851
  • Individual resource limit-$8,400
  • Married couple resource limit-$12,600

Program helps pay for: Part B premiums only

3. Qualifying Individual (QI) Program

The QI Program is a state program that helps pay Part B premiums for people who have Part A and limited income and resources. You must apply every year for QI Benefits. QI applications are granted on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority given to people who got QI benefits the previous year. (You can’t get QI benefits if you qualify for Medicaid).

QI income & resource limits in 2022:

  • Individual monthly income limit*-$1,549
  • Married couple monthly income limit*-$2,080
  • Individual resource limit-$8,400
  • Married couple resource limit-$12,600

Program helps pay for: Part B premiums only

4. Qualified Disabled and Working Individuals (QDWI) Program

The QDWI program helps pay the Part A premium. You may qualify if any of these apply to you:

  • You’re a working disabled person under 65
  • You lost your premium-free Part A when you went back to work
  • You aren’t getting medical assistance from your state
  • You meet the income and resource limits required by your state

QDWI income & resource limits in 2022:

  • Individual monthly income limit*-$4,615
  • Married couple monthly income limit*-$6,189
  • Individual resource limit-$4,000
  • Married couple resource limit-$6,000

Program helps pay for: Part A premiums only

*Limits are slightly higher in Alaska and Hawaii. If you have income from working, you may qualify for benefits even if your income is higher than the limits listed.

If you qualify for the QMB program, SLMB, or QI program, you automatically qualify to get Extra Help paying for Medicare prescription drug coverage.

What items are included in the Medicare Savings Program resource limits?

Countable resources include:

  • Money in a checking or savings account
  • Stocks
  • Bonds

Countable resources don’t include:

  • Your home
  • One car
  • Burial plot
  • Up to $1,500 for burial expenses if you have put that money aside
  • Furniture
  • Other household and personal items