Medicare savings programs and financial help

If you have limited income and assets, you may qualify for a Medicare Savings Program to help you pay your Medicare costs. There are four types of Medicare savings programs. 


Four types of Medicare Savings Programs

Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Program

The QMB program helps pay for:

  • Medicare Part A premiums
  • Medicare Part B premiums
  • Deductibles, coinsurance, copayments (for services and items Medicare covers)

Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) Program

The SLMB program can help pay for:

  • Medicare Part B premiums (You must have both Part A and Part B to qualify.)

Qualifying Individual (QI) Program

The QI program can help pay for:

  • Medicare Part B premiums (You must have both Part A and Part B to qualify.)

Qualified Disabled and Working Individuals (QDWI) Program

The QDWI program can help pay for:

  • Medicare Part A premiums only
     

Paying for your Part D prescription drug costs

People with limited income may qualify for extra help to pay for their prescription drug costs. If eligible, Medicare could pay up to 100% of drug costs -- including monthly prescription drug premiums, annual deductibles, and coinsurance. Additionally, those who qualify will not be subject to the coverage gap or a late-enrollment penalty.

If you get extra help from Medicare to help pay for your Medicare prescription drug plan costs, the amount of extra help you get will determine your total monthly plan premium as a member of our plan.

Download the chart to see what your monthly plan premium will be if you get extra help.

MAPD LIS Premium summary chart: English (PDF, 161 KB) / Español (PDF, X KB)

PDP LIS Premium summary chart: English (PDF, 180 KB) / Español (PDF, X KB)

D-SNP LIS Premium summary chart: English (PDF, 78 KB) / Español (PDF, X KB)

 

How do I know if I qualify for extra help?

If you believe you qualify for Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) and are paying 100% of your premium, you can contact the resources below for more information:

Get more information

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This is not a complete description of benefits. Current members can contact Customer Service at (800) 776-4466 (TTY: 711) for more information. Hours of operation 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week. Members with Blue Shield of California Dual Special Needs Plans can contact (800) 452-4413 (TTY:711), 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week.

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Page last updated: 01/01/2024

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For Blue Shield Medicare Advantage Plans: Blue Shield of California is an HMO, HMO D-SNP, PPO and a PDP plan with a Medicare contract and a contract with the California State Medicaid Program. Enrollment in Blue Shield of California depends on contract renewal.

 
 
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