If you receive Medicare and have trouble paying your Medicare costs, you may qualify for help.
Help is available through two programs—
- the QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary program)
- and the SLMB (Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary program).
How do I know if I am eligible?
Keep in mind that the state where you live determines your eligibility. In some states your income can be higher than the amounts listed below:
- For the QMB program, your income cannot be more than 100 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (also called the Federal Poverty Level).
- You can qualify for the SLMB program if your income is between 100 and 120 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
- See the Federal Poverty Guidelines for 2009.
- Additionally, for 2009, you cannot have financial resources such as bank accounts or stocks that total more than $4,000 for one person or $6,000 for a family of two. Resources generally are things you own. However, not everything is counted. The house you live in, for example, doesn’t count; and generally one car also doesn’t count.
How do the programs work if I qualify?
If you qualify for assistance under the QMB program, you will not have to pay:
- Medicare’s hospital deductible amount, which is $1,068 per benefit period in 2009;
- The daily coinsurance charges for extended hospital and skilled nursing facility stays;
- The Medicare Medical Insurance (Part B) premium, which is $96.40 per month in 2009;
- The $135 annual Part B deductible;
- The 20 percent coinsurance for services covered by Medicare Part B, depending on which doctor you go to.
If you qualify for the SLMB program, you will only receive assistance with the $96.40 monthly Part B premium.
In Colorado, contact 1-888-696-7213 or visit Colorado’s Senior Health Assistance Program to find out if you are eligible.
Outside Colorado, call the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on its toll-free telephone number (800) 633-4227, or contact Medicare online.
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