Qualified Medicare Beneficiary Plus (QMB+) offers the same benefits as QMB Only except for one big difference: People with QMB+ also have full Medicaid benefits. This means that people with QMB Plus may be eligible to receive supplies through Medicaid. Coverage and plan availability will vary by state.

Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) are Medicaid-administered programs for people on Medicare who have limited income and resources. These programs help those qualified to afford Medicare.

The Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program provides Medicare coverage of Part A and Part B premiums and cost sharing to low-income Medicare beneficiaries.

To qualify for QMB, your monthly income cannot exceed $1,215 if you are single ($14,580/year) or $1,643 ($19,720/year) if you are part of a couple. Note: A $20 “disregard” is subtracted from your monthly income (earned or unearned).

Is QMB Full Medicaid? While QMB is administered by your state Medicaid agency, it's a separate program from Medicaid and provides different coverage. For example, Medicaid covers vision and dental, but QMB doesn't. Qualifying for QMB does not mean you automatically qualify for Medicaid.

What Does SLMB Cover? Because the SLMB program is for people with higher incomes, SLMBs get fewer benefits than QMBs. The SLMB program pays the Medicare Part B monthly premium, but doesn't pay any Medicare deductibles or coinsurance amounts.

If your income is slightly too high for you to qualify for QMB benefits, you may still be eligible for another state medical assistance program: Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB). The resource limits for SLMB eligibility are the same as for a QMB, but the income limits are 20% higher.