Wednesday, April 02, 2014

Congress extends QI program again

On March 31 Congress voted to extend the sunsetting Qualified Individual Medicaid Program (QI) for one more year. QI uses Medicaid funds to pay the Part B premium for Medicare beneficiaries whose incomes are between 120% and 135% of poverty and whose resources (assets) are below a certain threshold. QI is one of the Medicare Savings Programs, or benefits designed to help low-income Medicare beneficiaries cover some of their out-of-pocket costs. The Specified Low-Income Beneficiary program (SLMB) pays Medicare's Part B premium for those with incomes between 100% and 120% of poverty whose assets are below are certain threshold. The Qualified Medicare Beneficiary program (QMB) pays Medicare premiums for both Part A and Part B, as well as Medicare deductibles and copayments for people with incomes below 100% of poverty whose resources are below a certain threshold.

The Qualified Disabled Working Individual program (QDWI) pays Part A premiums for certain working Medicare beneficiaries whose incomes are below 200% poverty and whose resources fall below a certain threshold.

You can find more information about the Medicare Savings Programs at www.medicare.gov/your-medicare-costs/help-paying-costs/medicare-savings-program/medicare-savings-programs.html

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