Medicare Savings Programs help people pay for Medicare. The three specific programs funded by the State of Illinois are:

• Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries (QMB)
• Special Low-Income Medicare Beneficiaries (SLMB)
• Qualified Individual (QI-1) program.

These programs are run by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS). They are all known as QMB. Benefits began the first month after the month when you qualified for QMB.

You can apply for these programs at your local IDHS office. You can also go to the Application for Benefits Eligibility website. If you are denied, you can appeal through the local IDHS office.

Qualified Medicare Benefits (QMB)

QMB eligibility entitles you to have the State pay your Medicare-related charges. This includes:

• Medicare Part A hospital deductible
• Medicare Part A premiums
• Medicare Part B premiums
• Medicare Part B deductible
• Coinsurance charges. These are typically 20% of approved Part B costs not paid by Medicare. This is often your out-of-pocket expenses under Medicare.
• Coinsurance for extended hospital stays and skilled nursing facilities.This is usually your out-of-pocket expenses under Medicare.
• Medicaid may cover the cost of more health services if you qualify

Eligibility for Qualified Medicare Benefits (QMB)

There are income and resource limits for QMB. Learn more on Medicare.gov.

Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB)

It's possible that your income is too high for QMB. If so, you may be eligible for the SLMB program instead.

SLMB benefits are more limited than QMB. They only cover Medicare Part B premiums.

Learn about the SLMB program on Medicare.gov.

Qualified Individuals Program (QI-1)

If your income is too high for QMB, you might qualify for QI-1.

Your income must be:

• more than 120% of the federal poverty level, and
• equal to or less than 135% of the federal poverty level.

If you qualify, you can have your Medicare Part B premiums paid.