Help Paying for Medicare Premiums

Alabama Medicaid has three different Medicare Savings Programs for low income individuals or couples who qualify for Medicare. The services you get depend on how much income you have. These programs pay Medicare premiums and in some cases, Medicare deductibles and coinsurance. 

Medicare Savings Programs
Applications and Addresses
Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Program
  • Pays the Medicare Part B Premium
  • Covers the Medicare deductible
  • Pays the Medicare Part A premium when certain conditions are met
  • Makes agreements with providers who accept Medicaid so you do not have to pay the 20 percent coinsurance after Medicare pays its part
  • Starts the month after you are approved by Medicaid
  • Participants receive a Medicaid card to take to the doctor or other provider
Specified Low Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) Program
  • Pays the Medicare Part B premium only
  • Participants do not receive a Medicaid card
  • Coverage may begin up to three months prior to the application month if certain requirements are met
Qualifying Individual (1) (QI-1) Program
  • Pays the Medicare Part B premium only
  • Participants do not receive a Medicaid card
  • Coverage may begin up to three months prior to the application month if certain requirements are met
  • Funding for this program is limited; when funds are used up, no more applications will be approved