If you live in Michigan and have limited income, the state may pay your Medicare Part B premium for you. In 2026 that premium is $202.90 a month for most people, so the savings add up fast. The help comes through the Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs), run by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). One of them, Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB), also covers deductibles, coinsurance and copayments.
This guide explains the four programs, the 2026 limits, what is and isn't counted, how to apply, and how an MSP fits with the rest of your Medicare decisions.
TL;DR
- Michigan's MSPs (QMB, SLMB, QI and QDWI) use Medicaid money to pay some or all of your Medicare costs. MDHHS administers them, and they are sometimes called the "Buy-In" program.
- For 2026, QMB covers monthly income up to $1,350 (single) or $1,824 (married). SLMB goes to $1,616 and $2,184. QI goes to $1,816 and $2,455.
- Apply even if you think you are over the limit. Your home, one car and household goods are not counted as resources.
- The fastest route is the MI Bridges online portal. A free counselor at MMAP can help you fill it out.
- Timing matters. QMB is not retroactive, so apply as soon as you think you might qualify.
Table of Contents
- What the Medicare Savings Programs are
- The four programs and what each pays
- Income and assets: what counts
- How to apply in Michigan
- Timing: when coverage starts
- How an MSP fits with your other Medicare choices
- Our perspective
- Getting a plan that works with your savings
- FAQ
- Have questions? We have answers!
- Sources
What the Medicare Savings Programs are
Medicare and Medicaid are separate programs. Medicare is federal health insurance for people 65 and older and some people with disabilities. An MSP is a Medicaid-funded helper: Michigan uses state and federal Medicaid dollars to pay specific Medicare costs on your behalf. You stay on Medicare. The state simply pays part of the bill.
If you want the longer version of how the two programs overlap, our post on Medicaid vs. Medicare and when both pay walks through it.
Michigan's state publication says these programs can save over $1,700 a year for people who qualify. The Part B premium alone, at $202.90 a month, comes to about $2,435 over twelve months.
The four programs and what each pays
The state's own policy manual lists the MSP categories, and the federal Medicare site describes the benefits. Here is the practical summary.
| Program | What it generally pays | 2026 monthly income limit (single / married) |
|---|---|---|
| QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary) | Part A premium if you owe one, Part B premium, plus deductibles, coinsurance and copays | $1,350 / $1,824 |
| SLMB (Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary) | Part B premium | $1,616 / $2,184 |
| QI (Qualifying Individual) | Part B premium | $1,816 / $2,455 |
| QDWI (Qualified Disabled & Working Individual) | Part A premium for working people with disabilities who lost premium-free Part A | $5,405 / $7,299 |
These figures come from the federal Save Money on Your Medicare Costs publication. QMB, SLMB and QI share the same resource limits: $9,950 for one person and $14,910 for a couple. QDWI has lower limits: $4,000 and $6,000.
Limits are adjusted every year, usually early in the calendar year. Check the current numbers with MDHHS before you rely on them in 2027.
Why QMB is the strongest of the four
QMB does more than pay a premium. Federal law prohibits Medicare providers from billing QMB enrollees for Medicare deductibles, coinsurance and copayments. If a clinic bills you for those, you are not legally obligated to pay. Show your QMB status and ask them to bill the state.
Why you shouldn't stop at the lowest tier
If your income is a little too high for QMB, SLMB or QI may still pay your Part B premium. Many people in the QI range assume they are "over" and never apply. The QI limit for a single person is $1,816 a month, which is more than the QMB limit by $466.
Income and assets: what counts
Two tests apply: monthly income and countable resources.
Income includes Social Security, pensions, wages and similar sources. Medicare says that state rules differ in how they treat income and assets, and that you should apply even if you think you are over the limit. We agree with that advice.
Resources are things like cash and bank accounts. Many assets are excluded: your primary home, one car and personal household items are not counted, according to the state's MSP application materials.
A January Social Security raise won't knock you out right away
When Social Security gives its annual cost-of-living raise, the January increase is disregarded for the January, February and March eligibility tests. Michigan's system uses the prior December's income during that stretch, according to the state's policy materials. If you are right at the edge, that quarter can help you get approved.
A worked example
Say you are single, 67, with $1,700 a month in Social Security and a pension, and $6,000 in savings. You are above the QMB limit of $1,350 and the SLMB limit of $1,616. You are under the QI limit of $1,816, and your savings are under $9,950. You would apply, and QI could cover your Part B premium. At $202.90 a month, that is real money.
That is an illustration, not a promise. Only MDHHS can decide eligibility, and your situation may include income or deductions that change the answer.
How to apply in Michigan
You have two main options. Online is quicker.
- Gather your documents. You may need proof of income (Social Security, wages or pension), proof of resources (bank statements), identity, and your Medicare status. A copy of your red, white and blue Medicare card is a good start.
- Apply through MI Bridges. MI Bridges is the state's online portal, and it lets you submit a healthcare coverage application. You can upload verification straight to your case.
- Or use paper. Complete the Medicare Savings Program application and return it to your local MDHHS office. Michigan accepts a photocopy, fax or electronic version of its standard forms, according to its policy manual.
- Respond to requests quickly. MDHHS reviews your documents and notifies you of its decision. If it asks for something, send it promptly.
You don't need to visit an office, and for online uploads you don't need an original ink signature.
Get free help with the paperwork
The Michigan Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP) offers counseling on Medicare and Medicaid. Its number is 1-800-803-7174. It is a good first call if you are unsure whether to apply.
Timing: when coverage starts
This is where people lose money.
- QMB is not retroactive. Full-coverage QMB cannot reach back to earlier months. In practice, you generally can't be reimbursed for costs before the month after your eligibility decision.
- SLMB can be retroactive. If your income qualified in earlier months, SLMB can cover those months.
The lesson is simple. If you are turning 65 or newly on Medicare and think your income is low, apply right away rather than waiting until you have sorted out everything else.
How an MSP fits with your other Medicare choices
An MSP does not replace a plan decision. You still choose how to get your coverage: Original Medicare with a Medigap policy and a Part D drug plan, or a Medicare Advantage plan.
A few things to think through:
- Medigap and QMB can overlap. If QMB already covers your cost-sharing, paying for a Medigap policy may duplicate some of that protection. Review it before you buy or renew.
- Advantage plans have networks. Check that your doctors take your plan, and understand how your cost-sharing works alongside the state's payment.
- Drug costs are separate. An MSP is different from the Part D Extra Help program, so ask about your drug coverage on its own.
- Premium-paying plans. If your MSP covers only Part B, you still owe whatever premium your Advantage, Medigap or Part D plan charges.
Our 2027 Michigan Medicare guide covers Advantage, Part D and Medigap in more detail, and the 2027 Michigan Medicare plan checklist helps you compare options before open enrollment decisions.
Our perspective
We talk with Michigan people on Medicare every week, and the same pattern keeps showing up. The people who most need an MSP often don't apply, because they assume the limits are stricter than they are or that the paperwork is a hassle. Then they pay a Part B premium the state would have covered.
Our advice is to check your eligibility before you pick a plan, not after. Whether you qualify can change which plan makes sense. It is also worth revisiting every year, because limits move and so does your income.
We also believe the state application should stay with the state. The MSP is a public benefit, and you can apply for it directly and for free. Where we help is the part around it: sorting through Medicare Advantage, Medigap and Part D so that your plan works with the help you receive, and checking back as your life changes. Our advisors are licensed with multiple carriers, and our guidance costs you nothing.
— Brian
Getting a plan that works with your savings
If you are turning 65 or reviewing your coverage, our team can help you compare Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement and Part D options available in Michigan. Learn more on our Medicare page, or see everything we do on our services page. Our advisory service is free to you, and we meet in person, by phone or virtually.
FAQ
What is the difference between a Medicare Savings Program and Medicaid?
Medicaid is a joint federal and state health program for people with limited income. An MSP is one part of Medicaid that pays Medicare costs, mainly premiums and, for QMB, cost-sharing. You can have an MSP without receiving full Medicaid benefits, though some people qualify for both.
What is QMB in Michigan?
QMB stands for Qualified Medicare Beneficiary. It is Michigan's most generous MSP, covering your Medicare premiums, deductibles, coinsurance and copays. In 2026 the monthly income limit is $1,350 for one person and $1,824 for a married couple.
Can I qualify if my income is over the limit?
Possibly. Medicare advises people to apply anyway, since states treat income and assets differently and some assets aren't counted. Applying costs nothing, and the state makes the call.
Do I have to go to an MDHHS office to apply?
No. You can apply online through MI Bridges and upload your documents there. A paper application is also available from a local MDHHS office. If you want free help, MMAP counselors can be reached at 1-800-803-7174.
Does the program pay for my Medicare Advantage or Medigap premium?
No. An MSP pays Medicare Part A and Part B costs, not premiums for private plans. You would still owe any premium your plan charges.
Have questions? We have answers!
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Sources
- 2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles (CMS)
- Medicare Savings Programs (MDHHS)
- Medicare Buy-In (MDHHS)
- Medicare Savings Program brochure (MDHHS)
- Medicare Savings Program application (MDHHS)
- Medicare Savings Programs (Medicare.gov)
- Save Money on Your Medicare Costs (Medicare.gov)
- Qualified Medicare Beneficiary Program (CMS)
- MI Bridges Community Partner User Guide (MDHHS)
- Rights and Responsibilities, BAM 105 (MDHHS)
- Application policy, BAM 115 (MDHHS)