Can Medicaid Help Reduce Your Medicare Expenses?

Many seniors live on a fixed income and living costs continue to rise. The good news is there are Medicare Savings Programs that provide premium relief to those with limited income and assets. There are four different Medicare Savings Programs with the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program being the most robust program.

What is the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Program?

QMB is a Medicaid program that helps pay for Medicare Part A premiums, Medicare Part B premiums, deductibles, coinsurance and copayments. If you qualify, Medicare providers aren’t permitted to bill you for services and items that Medicare covers. This includes deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. However, there may be a small Medicaid copayment based on the scenario. A QMB recipient will also receive help paying for prescription drugs.

What are the financial limits for QMB?

There are monthly income and resource limits to qualify for the program. In 2023, an individual who applies for this program can have a maximum of $1,235.00 in monthly income and no more than $9,090.00 in countable resources. A married couple can have no more than $1,663.00 in income and $13,630.00 in countable resources. Determining what is countable and what is exempt can be tricky. Hurley Elder Care Law helps clients review their situation to determine if they qualify for this benefit.

How do I apply for QMB?

You can apply for these services through your local county Division of Family & Children Services (DFCS)office or online through the Gateway portal.

Are you concerned about your eligibility for these programs? Do you wonder how you may utilize Medicaid to pay for more of your care needs? Call us at 404-843-0121 to discuss how we may help you meet your care needs by utilizing various Medicaid programs thus saving you money and giving you peace of mind.