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QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary)
Also called: Qualified Medicare Beneficiary
Last reviewed 2026-07-08
QMB is a Medicaid program that pays Medicare Part A and B costs. It covers your premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance if income and savings are low.
You apply for QMB through your state Medicaid office, not through Medicare directly. Once enrolled, providers are not supposed to bill you for the costs QMB covers. States review QMB cases from time to time to confirm the income and savings still line up with the program's limits.
This word shows up on Medicare Summary Notices and Medicaid letters, often shortened to QMB.
“whose income does not exceed an income level established by the State”
Programs
This word shows up in real letters. Start with your letter
Related words
Dual eligible
A dual eligible is someone on both Medicare and Medicaid at once. The two programs work together to cover that person's care.
LIS / Extra Help
Extra Help, also called the Low Income Subsidy, lowers Medicare Part D costs. It helps with premiums, deductibles, and drug costs if your income is low.
Asset test
An asset test is a rule that limits your money and property. You can still get a benefit like SSI or SNAP if you stay under the limit.
Related notices
Sources
- Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute (U.S. Code mirror)Retrieved 2026-07-08
Last reviewed 2026-07-08