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Seniors and People with Disabilities

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Medicare Savings Programs

​​​​Medicare Savings Programs help people who have Medicare pay for their medical care. 

Eligibility

To get Medicare Savings Program benefits:

  • You must be receiving Medicare Part A (hospital insurance benefits).
  • Your income must be within certain limits (see below).

Benefit pack​​​ages

There are​ three Medicare Savings Programs. Eligibility is based on your income. Income limits change each year in March based on the federal cost of living adjustment. ​​Download ​the Program Brochure (pdf)​.​

Income limits listed below are for March 2022 through February 2023. 

Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries (QMB)

​Program pays for: Medicare premiums, deductibles and co-insurance.

Income limit is: $1,133 for an individual and $1,526 for a couple (100% of the poverty level).

Qualified Disabled Worker (QDW)

​​​​Program pays for: Medicare Part A premiums for some disabled workers who lost eligibility for Social Security because they are working and who are not eligible for another Medicaid program.

Income limit is: $2,265 for a single person and $3,052 for a couple (200% of the poverty level).

Note: Most people in Oregon are not eligible for QDW because we have the Employed People with Disabilities Program (EPD), which provides full Medicaid benefits.

Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary and Qualified Individual (SMB and SMF)

​Program pays for: Medicare Part B premiums only. 

Income limit is:

  • For SMB the income limit is $1,359 for individuals or $1,831 for a couple (120% of the poverty level). The federal government pays approximately 60% of this benefit.
  • For SMF the income limit is $1,529 for an individual and $2,060 for a couple (the federal government mandates services for people with incomes between 120% and 135% of the poverty level). The federal government pays 100% of this benefit.
    • In most states, this program is called the Qualifying Individual (QI) program. In Oregon, this is called the SMF benefit.​
    • We are only allowed to serve a certain number of people each year for this program. Unfortunate​ly if we reach our limit, we have to shut down enrollment.
    • Note: If you are eligible for any other Medicaid benefit offered by the state, you are not eligible for the SMF program.

How to apply

To apply for Medicare Savings Programs:

We will make a decision on your application within 45 days of the date you submit your application. ​​