Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program

What is the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program?

Some Medicare beneficiaries struggle to pay for Medicare premiums and cost sharing even though their incomes are too high to qualify for full Medicaid benefits. A group of Medicaid-administered programs – Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) – can help to pay Medicare premiums and out-of-pocket costs for eligible enrollees.

There are four types of MSPs, but the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program is the largest, and covers the majority of the people with MSPs.¹

The QMB program goes further than the other MSPs in terms of what it covers. In addition to Part B premiums, QMB will also pay an enrollee’s Medicare Part A and B cost sharing (deductibles, co-insurance, and co-pays) and Part A premiums (if an enrollee owes them).² And all MSP enrollees, including QMB enrollees, receive Extra Help – a federal program that lowers their Medicare Part D drug costs.³

How do I apply for the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program?

All MSPs, including the QMB program, are administered by each state’s Medicaid program. So you’ll need to contact your state’s Medicaid office to see whether you’re eligible and to submit an application.

How many people are enrolled in the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program?

In 2023, more than 8 million Medicare beneficiaries were receiving QMB assistance.⁴ That accounted for the majority of the 10 million MSP enrollees.⁵