Revised February 2008
QMB is a program for elderly and disabled persons who are on Medicare and who have limited income. It covers the remainder of everything for which Medicare pays part, such as all hospital and doctor bills, plus the $135 annual deductible. It also pays the monthly Medicare premium that is withheld from most Social Security checks, so your check will increase if you get QMB. YOU DO NOT NEED ANY OTHER MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT (such as Blue Cross C+, AARP or Humana), SO IF YOU GET QMB , you can save between $100 and $200 per month.
INCOME LIMITS FOR QMB
$887 - one person (not married)
$1,187 - married couple (combined income)
To determine if your income falls below these limits: first, take the gross monthly amount that you make from working at a job. (The gross amount is the amount before any deductions for taxes, insurance, or anything else.) Subtract $65. Then divide the remainder by 2. This is how much of your earnings from a job count toward the QMB limit. Second, add all other monthly income such as Social Security, other pensions, and veterans' benefits. DO NOT include interest and dividends. You must count the gross amount of these checks before anything is deducted or taken out. For example, Medicare takes $96.40 out of the Social Security checks for most people. This $96.40 must be added back to the check you receive to determine how much counts for QMB. If the amount that counts is less than $887 and you are not married or $1187 combined for a married couple, then you are eligible for QMB
SLMB and QI-1 are programs for elderly and disabled persons who are on Medicare and who have limited income, but do not qualify for QMB. SLMB or QI-1 will pay your Medicare premium for you each month if you qualify. Thus, your social security should increase by $93.50 each month. Since this is the only benefit offered by the SLMB program, YOU STILL NEED YOUR MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT.
INCOME LIMITS FOR SLMB/QI-1
$1041 - one person (not married) SLMB
$1389 - married couple (combined income) SLMB$1169 - one person (not married) QI-1
$1561 - married couple (combined income) QI-1
Determine your income the same way as stated above for QMB eligibility. If the amount that counts is less than $1041 and you are not married or $1389 combined for a married couple, then you are eligible for SLMB. If the amount that counts is less than $1169 and you are not married or $1561 combined for a married couple, then you are eligible for QI-1.
TO APPLY FOR SSI AND FULL MEDICAID ELIGIBILITY, CALL SOCIAL SECURITY 1-800-772-1213
INCOME LIMITS FOR SSI/FULL MEDICAID
$643- one person (not married)
$954 - married couple (combined income)
RESOURCES LIMITS:
$2000 FOR SINGLE PERSONS, $3000 FOR MARRIED COUPLES
DO NOT COUNT THE PROPERTY UPON WHICH YOU LIVE.
TO APPLY FOR QMB OR SLMB/QI-1: TELEPHONE THE MEDICAID OFFICE : Barbour, Coffee, Covington , Crenshaw, Dale, Geneva , Henry, Houston , and Pike Counties , (334) 702-3100.
If you are not sure whether to apply for SSI, QMB or SLMB/QI-1 or if you need help with any other health insurance questions, telephone Davis & Neal, Attorneys at Law , at (334) 671-3990 or write 325 N. Oates St. , Ste. 7, Dothan , Al. 36303 . ALABAMA STATE BAR RULES REQUIRE THE FOLLOWING IN EVERY ATTORNEY ADVERTISEMENT: "No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers."
This information is being furnished to you by the Southern Alabama Regional Council On Aging (SARCOA)'s Legal Services and State Health Insurance Assistance Program
