Income limits for Medicare savings programs - do Social Security benefits count differently by state?

Yes, there are Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) that can help with Medicare costs, and yes, the income limits DO vary by state! These programs can help pay your Part B premiums and sometimes other Medicare costs. Your Social Security benefits DO count as income for these programs, but some states disregard certain amounts or types of income when calculating eligibility. The main MSPs are: - Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) - Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) - Qualifying Individual (QI) The 2025 federal baseline income limits are approximately: - QMB: $1,265/month (single) - SLMB: $1,515/month (single) - QI: $1,705/month (single) But again, states can be more generous with these limits or how they count income. Your best bet is to contact your state Medicaid office to find out the specific rules where you live.

the different programs r confusing but dont worry to much! im on ssdi and get help with my medicare. they look at wat u have coming in each month, not just ss. they also care about assets in some states but not all of them. u should call ur medicade office and ask about MSP's. i think ur income is low enough.

I work at a senior center and help people with these applications all the time. A few important points: 1. They look at your GROSS Social Security amount (before deductions) 2. Some states have higher limits than the federal baseline 3. Many states don't count all resources - some exclude your home, car, and burial funds 4. Some states have eliminated resource tests altogether For your 401k - that would count as a resource in states that have resource limits (typically around $9,090 for individuals in 2025), BUT several states have eliminated resource tests for MSPs. States with no resource limits for some/all MSPs include: AL, AZ, CT, DE, DC, HI, ME, MA, MS, NY, OR, VT, and WA. Also look into the Medicare Part D Extra Help program through Social Security - that's federal and helps with prescription costs.

These systems are DESIGNED to be confusing!!!! The govt WANTS to make it hard for people to get benefits they deserve! I applied for the QMB program last year and they kept asking for more and more paperwork. Then they LOST my bank statements and I had to start all over. It took FIVE MONTHS to get approved!!! Make copies of EVERYTHING and get a receipt when you turn in your application!!

I just went through this process last year. One thing to note is that different offices call these programs by different names sometimes, which makes it even more confusing. In my state they call it the "Medicare Premium Payment Program" or MPPP instead of MSP. I was having a terrible time getting through to my state Medicaid office to apply - constant busy signals and voicemails that were never returned. I ended up using a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an actual human being. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU that shows how it works. It saved me weeks of frustration. Once I got through, the caseworker was actually helpful and walked me through everything. My income was about $1,600/month from Social Security and I qualified for SLMB, which pays my Part B premium. That's an extra $174.70 in my pocket each month!

my neighbor toldme she gets help with her medicare and her retirement is more than 2000 a month so you should be ok with 1560. i think they look at your total income tho not just ss. do you get any other money coming in like pensions or rent income? that would count to

To answer your question about Nevada - yes, Nevada does have resource limits for Medicare Savings Programs. As of 2025, the resource limits in Nevada are: - Individual: $9,090 - Married couple: $13,630 Resources that count include bank accounts, stocks, bonds, and most retirement accounts including 401ks. They don't count your primary home, one car, household goods, and certain burial expenses. Regarding part-time work - yes, that would count as income. However, depending on how much you earn, you might still qualify for one of the programs. Just be aware that any earnings would be added to your Social Security when determining eligibility. One more thing - even if you don't qualify for an MSP, definitely apply for Extra Help for prescription drug costs through Social Security. The income and resource limits are higher for that program.

I've been on Medicare for 3 years now and it's definitely confusing! Just want to add that you should also check out your state's SHIP program (State Health Insurance Assistance Program). They provide free counseling on Medicare options including help with applying for assistance programs. Really helped me figure everything out.

the paperwork isnt as bad as it sounds. they asked for my ss award letter, bank statements, and id. took about an hour to fill out the forms. medicaid office helped me with the confusing parts. i think ssdi and ss retirement r treated the same for these programs but not 100% sure

One other important thing to know: Even if you don't qualify for the Medicare Savings Programs through Medicaid, you should look into Medicare Advantage plans that have $0 premiums and include prescription coverage. Many also offer extra benefits like dental, vision, hearing, and over-the-counter allowances. Part B premiums would still apply, but many Advantage plans help reduce your overall healthcare costs. You can switch plans during the Annual Enrollment Period from October 15 to December 7 each year. Based on your income level, I'd recommend applying for both the Medicare Savings Program AND Extra Help as soon as you're eligible. You can apply for Extra Help up to 4 months before your Medicare begins.

Just wanted to add that you should also look into your state's QMB Plus program if Nevada offers it. Some states have expanded versions of the basic QMB program that have slightly higher income limits. Also, don't forget that these programs can be renewed annually, so even if your income changes slightly from year to year, you might still qualify. One tip I learned the hard way - when you apply, ask specifically about "deemed eligibility" for Extra Help. If you qualify for QMB or SLMB, you're automatically eligible for Extra Help too, which can save you hundreds on prescription costs. Also, if you're planning to work part-time, consider that there are work incentives that might not count all your earnings toward the income limits. The Medicaid office should be able to explain these if they apply to your situation.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that you can actually apply for these programs even BEFORE you turn 65 and start Medicare. Many states will do a "conditional eligibility" determination, which can give you peace of mind about what to expect. Also, if you're currently getting any kind of assistance like SNAP (food stamps) or housing assistance, that can sometimes speed up the MSP application process since they already have some of your financial information on file. And here's something that surprised me - if you qualify for QMB, you're also protected from "balance billing" by providers. This means doctors and hospitals can't charge you more than what Medicare allows, even if they don't accept Medicare assignment. That protection alone can save you thousands if you ever need major medical care. The key is to apply as soon as you're eligible - these programs don't provide retroactive coverage, so every month you wait is money out of your pocket. Good luck with your application!

I'm new to this community but wanted to share something that might help with your Medicare planning. Since you mentioned being 63 and planning ahead, you should know that you can actually start getting free Medicare counseling through your local Area Agency on Aging right now, even before you're eligible for Medicare. Also, regarding your $30K in 401k - if you're still working, you might want to consider whether it makes sense to spend down some of those assets before applying for MSPs, since Nevada does have those resource limits that Sofia mentioned. Some people strategically use retirement funds for home improvements, car repairs, or other necessary expenses to get under the asset thresholds while still having the benefit of those improvements. One more tip: keep detailed records of all your applications and communications with Medicaid. I've seen too many people have to restart their applications because paperwork got lost in the system. Take photos of everything you submit and get confirmation numbers when possible. Your income level definitely looks promising for qualifying for help - don't let the bureaucracy discourage you from applying!