State and Federal Medicare Savings Plans
If you have limited income and assets, you may be able to get help paying for some of your Medicare costs. Some programs pay for Part B premiums and costs, and others help pay Part D costs.
Part B
- Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB)—Pays for Part B premiums and other costs including deductible, coinsurance, and co-payments
- Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB)—Pays Part B premiums only
Part D
- Federal Extra Help or Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) Pays for Part D premiums, deductible, and some prescription drug costs
- Maryland Senior Prescription Drug Assistance Program—Pays Part D monthly premiums only
Medicare Savings Programs—Part B
You may be eligible for help to pay for your Medicare Part B costs. Medicare and the State of Maryland Medicaid program work together to give aid through Medicare Savings Programs (MSP).
To be eligible, your income and assets must fall at or below the amounts listed in State and Federal Programs. Income can be higher if you are working, and a part of your income is from earned wages.
Assets include money in a checking or savings account, stocks, bonds, mutual funds and Individual Retirement Accounts. Assets do not include your home, car, or burial plot. The asset limits listed below include a $1,500 burial allowance for an individual and $3,000 burial allowance for a couple.
Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Program
The QMB program pays for Medicare Part A and/or Part B premiums, deductible, coinsurance, and co-payments. You will receive a gray and white card identifying you as a Qualified Medicare Beneficiary.
For access to full benefits, QMB eligible Medicare enrollees must go to medical providers who accept both Medicare and the QMB program.
Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB)
The SLMB program is for people who aren’t eligible for QMB. The SLMB income and asset limits are higher than QMB. Check the State and Federal Programs
| What QMB/SLMB Cover | ||
|---|---|---|
| Costs | QMB Pays | SLMB Pays |
| Part B Premiums | X | X |
| Part B Deductibles, coinsurance, & copays | X | |
| Part A Premiums | X | |
| Part A Deductibles, coinsurance, & copays | X | |
| Program card | Grey & white card | none |
For more information at Maryland Medicaid Administration, Medicare Savings Programs.
How to Apply for QMB/SLMB
You apply for QMB/SLMB through your Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services.
Print & Mail Completed Application
Call to Request an Application & Mail Completed Application
- Montgomery County SHIP: 301-255-4250
- Medicare Savings Program, Maryland Dept. of Health: 1-800-638-3403
- Local DHHS Offices
DHHS Silver Spring Center
Income Supports/Attention: Clerical Supervisor
8818 Georgia Ave.
Silver Spring, MD 20910
240-777-3100
Mid-County DHHS Building
Income Supports/Attention: Clerical Supervisor
1301 Rockville Pike, 2nd Floor
Rockville, MD 20852
240-777-4600
Up-County Regional Services Center
Income Supports/Attention: Clerical Supervisor
2nd Floor, 12900 Middlebrook Rd.
Germantown, MD 20874
240-777-3420
State and Federal Savings Programs—Part D
Currently there are two Programs available to reduce your Part D prescription drug costs.
- Extra Help (LIS)
- Maryland Senior Prescription Drug Assistance Program
Extra Help Savings Program
The Social Security Administration administers the Federal Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) program, also called “Extra Help.”
- Helps pay your Medicare Part D prescription drug plan premium, deductibles, and part of the cost of your prescriptions.
- Helps you enroll in a prescription drug coverage plan if you haven’t done so already.
- You may switch Part D plans once per calendar quarter during the first nine months of the year, in addition to the annual Open Enrollment period.
- Eligibility is based on income and assets. Refer to the Eligibility Standards table below.
For more information, visit or download the SSA booklet about Extra Help.
Understanding the Extra Help With Your Medicare Prescription Drug Plan
How to Apply for Extra Help
You apply for Extra Help through the Social Security Administration.
Online
Click on the link to access the application and scroll to the bottom of the page for the Apply Now button.
Call to Request a Form
- Social Security Office: 1-800-772-1213
- Montgomery County SHIP: 301-255-4250
Mail Your Completed Extra Help Application
Social Security Administration
Wilkes-Barre Data Operations Center
PO Box 1020
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18767-9910
Senior Prescription Drug Assistance Program (SPDAP)
SPDAP is a state program based on income limits that provides a subsidy of up to $50/month for 2021 toward your prescription drug plan premium. This subsidy is paid directly to your prescription drug plan by SPDAP.
SPDAP Eligibility
- Show residency in Maryland for at least six months
- Be a Medicare recipient
- Have an income at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level—with NO regard to your assets. See Saving Programs Eligibility Standards.
For more information, visit Maryland Senior Prescription Drug Assistance Program.
How to Apply for SPDAP
Call to Request an Application
- State of Maryland SPDAP: 1-800-551-5995
- Montgomery County SHIP: 301-255-4250
Mail Your Completed SPDAP Application
Maryland SPDAP
c/o International Software Systems, Inc.
PO Box 749
Greenbelt, MD 20768-0749
Saving Programs Eligibility Standards
Each Savings program has different eligibility standards based on the following income and asset limits. State and Federal Programs