Medicare Savings Programs

Do you need help paying the costs associated with Medicare?

If you have limited income and savings, you may be able to get help from the state to pay your Medicare costs if you meet certain criteria.

Here are two most often used Medicare Savings Programs:

Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Program:

If you’re eligible, the QMB Program will pay for Part A and Part B monthly premiums. In addition, Doctors and Hospitals who agree to accept Medicare payments aren’t allowed to bill you for services and items covered by Medicare, including any deductibles, copays or coinsurance (except prescription drug copays, those are covered by your Part D plan, not Medicare..

If you get a bill for these charges tell your doctor or the provider that you’re in the QMB Program and can’t be charged for Medicare deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. If you’ve already made payments on a bill for services and items Medicare covers, you have the right to a refund.

IMPORTANT: To make sure your provider knows you’re in the QMB Program, show both your Medicare and MaineCare or QMB card each time you get care. You can also give your provider a copy of your “Medicare Summary Notice” (MSN). Your MSN will show you’re in the QMB Program and shouldn’t be billed. Log in to your MyMedicare.gov account at any time to view your MSN or sign up to get your MSN emailed to you.

If your Medicare provider or a dept collection agency won’t stop billing you, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). Medicare can confirm that you’re in the QMB Program. They can also help you by asking your provider to stop billing you, and instruct them to refund any payments you’ve already made.

Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) Program:

Helps pay Part B premiums only.

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

How do you qualify?

In most cases, to qualify for a Medicare Savings Program, you must have income and resources below a certain limit. States have different limits and ways of counting your income and resources, so you should check with your state Medicaid office to see if you qualify.

How do you apply?

You can apply online at: www.Maine.gov/MyMaineConnection.

Once you have been approved, you will receive a letter containing your MaineCare ID number. Use this number in combination with your Medicare card to cover your costs at your doctors and the hospital. You will still need prescription drug coverage so please reach out and I can help you find a plan that will cover all your medications for $0 copays and will cost you $0 per month.

You can reach me at 207-370-0143.