What these programs do
Medicare Savings Programs are state programs that pay some or all of your Medicare costs if your income and savings are below set limits. The most common benefit is the Part B premium, which is taken out of most people's Social Security check each month. When a program pays it, your check goes up by that amount.
There is nothing to be shy about here. These programs exist because Medicare was built to work alongside them. If you qualify, the money is yours by law. We help clients apply every month, and we never charge for it.
The three programs, and what each one pays
QMB pays the most. SLMB and QI pay the Part B premium only. The one you get depends on where your income falls. Kansas uses different names for the second and third levels, which we show below.
| Program | Name in Kansas | Income limit (share of federal poverty level) | What it pays |
|---|---|---|---|
| QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary) | QMB | Up to 100 percent | Part B premium, Part A premium if you owe one, and your Medicare deductibles, coinsurance and copays. Providers who take Medicare cannot bill you for the balance. |
| SLMB (Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary) | LMB | Up to 120 percent | Part B premium only |
| QI (Qualifying Individual) | ELMB | Up to 135 percent | Part B premium only. Funded yearly, first come first served. You cannot have full Medicaid and QI at the same time. |
Sources: Medicare.gov, Medicare Savings Programs; Kansas Medical Assistance Standards, Form F-8 (July 2026).
The 2026 income and asset limits
Missouri and Kansas both use the federal limits. Neither state has dropped the asset test, and neither adds extra room above the federal income levels. The exact dollar figures change every spring when the federal poverty level is updated, so we do not print them here. You can see this year's numbers on Medicare.gov, and Kansas publishes its own chart on the KanCare standards sheet.
A few things that help more people qualify than expect to:
- Not all income counts. The state ignores a small amount of income each month, and it ignores part of any wages you earn. Your gross Social Security amount, before the Part B premium is taken out, is what they start with.
- Not all assets count. Your home, one vehicle, household goods, a burial plot and a set amount for burial costs are not counted. Checking, savings, CDs, stocks and bonds are counted.
- Couples have higher limits. If you are married and live together, the limits are higher than for a single person.
- Life insurance rules vary. Small life insurance policies are often excluded. Larger cash-value policies may count. Ask before you assume.
Extra Help for prescription drugs
Extra Help is a federal program, run by Social Security, that lowers your Part D costs. In 2026 it covers your Part D premium for a standard plan, removes your drug deductible, and caps what you pay for each prescription at a small copay. Once your total drug costs reach the yearly Part D limit, you pay nothing more for covered drugs.
The income limit for Extra Help is 150 percent of the federal poverty level, which is higher than the Medicare Savings Program limits. The asset limit is also higher. So if your income is a bit too high for QI, you may still get Extra Help. This year's figures are on Medicare.gov's drug cost help page.
If you already have QMB, SLMB or QI, full Medicaid, or SSI, you get Extra Help automatically. Everyone else applies at ssa.gov or by calling Social Security at 800-772-1213.
How to apply in Missouri
In Missouri, the Family Support Division handles Medicare Savings Programs. You can apply online through the state forms portal, print and mail the Application for Medicare Savings Program, or drop it off at a local FSD Resource Center. If you already have MO HealthNet, you can request the program through the online change report.
Start at the Missouri DSS page for seniors and people with disabilities. Have your Social Security award letter, bank statements and any pension or annuity statements ready. If you want help with the form, Missouri SHIP at 800-390-3330 is free, and so are we.
How to apply in Kansas
In Kansas, KanCare handles the programs. You apply through the KanCare Clearinghouse with the medical assistance application for seniors and people with disabilities, online or on paper. Kansas lists its own income chart, updated each April, on the KanCare website.
SHICK, the free Kansas counseling program, can help at 800-860-5260. If you live in Wyandotte or Johnson County, we are also glad to sit with you and go through the application line by line.
Missouri and Kansas side by side
| Item | Missouri | Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Program names | QMB, SLMB, QI (also called SLMB2) | QMB, LMB, ELMB |
| Income limits | Federal percentages | Federal percentages |
| Asset test | Yes, federal limits | Yes, federal limits |
| Who runs it | Family Support Division (DSS) | KanCare Clearinghouse (KDHE) |
| Free counseling | Missouri SHIP: 800-390-3330 | SHICK: 800-860-5260 |
What changes after you are approved
Your Part B premium stops coming out of your Social Security check, usually within a month or two, and you may get a refund for months already paid. With QMB, your doctors and hospitals cannot bill you for Medicare deductibles or coinsurance. You also get Extra Help for drugs and a Special Enrollment Period that lets you change your drug coverage during the year, not just in the fall.
You will need to renew each year. The state sends a form. If you miss it, the benefit stops, so call us if a letter from the state is confusing.
Want help checking if you qualify?
Send us your name and number. A licensed local agent will call, go through the limits with you in private, and point you to the right application. There is no charge.
Call us first
If you think you might qualify, or a letter from the state has you confused, call us before you do anything else. We will explain it in plain words, and it is free. Call (816) 307-6165 or book a free review.
Sources
- Medicare.gov: Medicare Savings Programs (2026 limits)
- Medicare.gov: Help with drug costs (Extra Help)
- Social Security: Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug plan costs
- Missouri Department of Social Services, Family Support Division: Health care for seniors and people with disabilities
- KanCare: Kansas Medical Assistance Standards, Form F-8 (Rev. July 2026)
- National Council on Aging: 2026 MSP coverage and eligibility by state
Reviewed by a licensed Cole Insure agent. Last checked October 2026.
Questions people ask us
Does Missouri have an asset test for Medicare Savings Programs?
Yes. Missouri uses the federal income and resource limits for QMB, SLMB and QI. Your home, one car and household goods do not count. Bank accounts, stocks and bonds do. Some states have dropped the asset test, but Missouri and Kansas have not.
What does Kansas call its Medicare Savings Programs?
Kansas uses QMB for the first level, then LMB (Low Income Medicare Beneficiary) and ELMB (Expanded LMB). LMB matches what other states call SLMB, and ELMB matches QI. The income levels follow the federal percentages.
If I get a Medicare Savings Program, do I also get Extra Help?
Yes. If your state pays your Part B premium through QMB, SLMB or QI, Medicare enrolls you in Extra Help for drug costs automatically. You do not need a second application for Extra Help.
Can I have a Medicare Savings Program and a Medicare Advantage plan?
Yes. The program pays your Part B premium no matter which kind of Medicare plan you have. Many people with QMB or Extra Help also qualify for special plans built for people with both Medicare and Medicaid. We can explain those.
Will a Medicare Savings Program take my house when I die?
No. Federal law bars states from recovering the cost of Medicare Savings Program benefits from your estate. These programs only pay Medicare premiums and cost sharing, and estate recovery does not apply to them.
What if my income is a little over the limit?
Apply anyway. Some income is not counted, including a small set-aside each month and part of any wages. The state does the math, not you. If you are denied, the Extra Help program has a higher income limit and may still fit.