Medicare Savings Programs

Maine Medicare Quimby QMB SLMB Mainecare help paying for Medicare LIS SNP application

Medicare Savings Programs, also known as the Medicare Buy-In or “Quimby” is a way to help reduce your costs with the Medicare Part B premium, copays and costs for prescription medications under Part D.

Depending on your income and assets, you may get help paying for Medicare co-pays, coinsurance, deductibles, premiums, and “extra help” with your Part D costs. There are two levels of MSP or Medicare Savings Program help that you may qualify for.

Level 1—The Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) level:

QMB pays ALL Medicare premiums, coinsurances, and deductibles, and lowers generic drug co-pays and eliminates the “donut hole.” There are also special plans with additional benefits like dental, vision, hearing and transportation that you will also qualify for. Click here to learn more.

Here are the income and asset guidelines for Maine:

Single

INCOME: $1,823 per month or less
ASSETS: Liquid assets at or below $58,000
Note: Liquid assets include cash or other resources that can be changed into cash on demand like cash value of life insurance.

Married

INCOME: $2,465 per month or less
ASSETS: Liquid assets at or below $87,000
Note: Liquid assets include cash or other resources that can be changed into cash on demand like cash value of life insurance.

Level 2—The SLMB or QI level with Maine Rx or DEL:

SLMB or QI pays Medicare Part B premium and Part D premium within a certain limit, pays your deductible, and lowers copays & eliminates the “donut hole.” It also lowers generic drug copays.

Here are the income and asset guidelines for Maine:

Single

SLMB INCOME: $2,066 per month or less
QI INCOME: $2,248 per month or less
ASSETS: Liquid assets at or below $58,000
Note: Liquid assets include cash or other resources that can be changed into cash on demand.

Married

SLMB INCOME: $2,794 per month or less
QI INCOME: $3,041 per month or less
ASSETS: Liquid assets at or below $87,000
Note: Liquid assets include cash or other resources that can be changed into cash on demand.

What Is Estate Recovery?

If you only have one of the MSP levels, QMB, SLMB or QI, the state cannot recover the cost of helping you from your estate when you die.

But if your income and assets are low enough and you get MaineCare plus an MSP, the state MAY try to recover some costs when you die if you are over 54 and have no surviving spouse or dependent child.

How Do I Apply?

  1. Call toll Free: (866) 976-9038 for help or to find someone in your area to help you apply.
  2. Or use My Maine Connection to apply online: www.Maine.gov/MyMaineConnection

If you have both Medicare AND MaineCare (Medicaid) then you may qualify.

Special Needs Plans (SNP) are plans that offer more benefits than you get with traditional Medicare like Dental, vision and hearing aids. These plans are under Part C of Medicare.