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Medicare Savings Program

More Mainers can get help paying for Medicare

The Medicare Savings Program (MSP) helps pay monthly Medicare premiums and out-of-pocket costs. People who are eligible for Medicare Part A may qualify. There are two levels of MSP coverage, and eligibility depends on monthly income.

Depending on household income, MSP can help pay

  • Medicare Part B monthly premiums (physician and other medical care)
  • Certain Medicare deductibles, co-pays and co-insurance

People with MSP qualify for Extra Help, which lowers

  • Medicare Part D monthly premiums (prescription drugs)
  • Medicare Part D donut hole costs
  • Medicare Part D out-of-pocket costs

QMB

A person who qualifies for this coverage is referred to as a Qualified Medicare Beneficiary.

QI

Some people with higher income may qualify for help paying Medicare Part B and Part D premiums, and the Part D donut hole and deductible. They are referred to as Qualified Individuals.

Monthly income limits

HouseholdQMBQI
Single$2,461$3,325
Couple$3,337$4,509
  • Some income can be reduced when applying for MSP — for example, $75 for a single person or $100 for a married couple can be deducted.
  • There is no asset test and no estate recovery requirement for the Medicare Savings Program.
  • Married couples with income greater than the amounts listed may still be eligible. $497 may be deducted from the income of the spouse who has lower medical costs to reduce the couple's income.

Coverage levels

An × indicates a Medicare cost that may be lowered at the QMB or QI level.

Medicare costQMBQI
Medicare Part A premium×—
Medicare Part A deductible×—
Medicare Part A co-insurance×—
Medicare Part B premium××
Medicare Part B deductible×—
Medicare Part B co-pay×—
Medicare Part B co-insurance×—
The Extra Help Program — Medicare Part D assistance*
Medicare Part D premium××
Medicare Part D deductible××
Medicare Part D donut hole××
Medicare Part D co-pay××
Maine Rx××

*The Extra Help Program reduces Medicare Part D prescription and co-pay costs. MSP waives Medicare lifetime penalties — higher premiums due to late enrollment in Medicare may be reduced. Maine's Drugs for the Elderly Program (DEL) helps with medication costs for older Mainers (age 62 and over) and Mainers (age 19 and older) with a disability.

How to apply

Apply for MSP online at My Maine Connection (mymaineconnection.gov). Mainers can also download and print a MaineCare application from the Maine DHHS Application and Forms webpage. Once completed, the application can be mailed, emailed or faxed to the Maine Department of Health and Human Services.

  • Consumer Assistance Program Helpline at Consumers for Affordable Health Care (mainecahc.org): 1-800-965-7476.
  • Area Agencies on Aging (maine4a.org) statewide toll-free number: 1-877-353-3771. Listen for your county to be connected to the agency that helps people in your area.

Income limit and coverage information courtesy of Consumers for Affordable Health Care, Maine's Consumer Assistance Program · mainecahc.org · 1-800-965-7476 · PO Box 2490, Augusta, Maine 04338