Glossary
Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB)
A person with Medicare who qualifies for help paying Medicare costs because of limited income and resources.
A Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) is someone who has Medicare and meets income and resource limits set by their state. If you qualify, your state's Medicaid agency pays your Medicare Part A and Part B premiums, deductibles, coinsurance and copayments.
To qualify as a QMB, your monthly income must be at or below $1,350 for an individual or $1,824 for a married couple. You can have resources (savings, property) of up to $9,950 as an individual or $14,910 as a couple. Some states have higher limits or don't count resources, so if you're just over the limits, it's worth applying.
If you qualify for QMB, you automatically qualify for Extra Help with Medicare drug costs. Apply through your state Medicaid agency. Applying is free, and only the agency decides if you qualify.