Massachusetts benefits guide
The Medicare Savings Program: have the state pay your Medicare premium
2026 figures (income limits effective March 1, 2026). Checked against MassHealth and Medicare on September 25, 2026.
The short version
- The state can pay your Medicare Part B premium: $202.90 a month in 2026, about $2,435 a year.
- Income up to $35,916 a year for one person or $48,696 for a couple.
- No savings limit. Massachusetts dropped the asset test in March 2024.
- You also get Extra Help with prescription costs automatically, and the state won't try to recover it from your estate.
What it pays
There are three levels, based on income. All three pay your Part B premium, so your Social Security check goes up by that amount.
- QMB (income up to $30,324 single / $41,124 couple): pays the Part B premium and your Medicare deductibles and coinsurance. Doctors and hospitals can't bill you for Medicare copays, including in Medicare Advantage plans. You may still pay small pharmacy copays.
- SLMB and QI (income above that, up to $35,916 single / $48,696 couple): pays the Part B premium.
Every level also comes with:
- Extra Help for Part D drugs: no more than $12.65 per covered drug in 2026.
- Health Safety Net coverage at hospitals and community health centers.
- The right to sign up for Part B at any time of year, with no late-enrollment penalty.
Who qualifies
- You have Medicare (or are eligible for it) and live in Massachusetts.
- Your income is at or below the limits above (225% of the federal poverty level). Limits change every March 1.
- Savings don't matter for this program: a house, bank accounts and retirement accounts are not counted.
Some income doesn't count, and the state's figures are rounded, so if you're close to the limit, apply anyway. Full MassHealth coverage still has a $2,000 asset limit, but the Medicare Savings Program on its own does not.
Will the state take it back from my estate?
No. MassHealth says estate recovery doesn't apply to the Medicare Savings Program, whichever application you used. (Full MassHealth coverage is different, and can be subject to estate recovery.)
How to apply
- Use the short Medicare Savings Programs application. The state says it takes about 5 minutes, and you don't need to be on MassHealth.
- Send it to MassHealth: by mail to MassHealth Enrollment Center, PO Box 4405, Taunton, MA 02780-0968; by fax to (857) 323-8300; or in person at 529 Main St., Suite 1M, Charlestown. It can also be filled in and submitted online as a PDF.
- Free help: a SHINE counselor at (800) 243-4636 (weekdays 9 to 5), or MassHealth Customer Service at (800) 841-2900.
When it starts
- QMB starts the first day of the month after you're approved. It doesn't go back in time, so apply as soon as you can.
- SLMB and QI can go back up to 3 months before the month you apply.
Sources
- Mass.gov, Get help paying Medicare costs (updated March 2, 2026).
- MassHealth, 2026 Income Standards and Federal Poverty Guidelines (effective March 1, 2026).
- MassHealth, Medicare Savings Program FAQs and Medicare Savings Programs Application.
- Mass.gov, Program financial guidelines (no MSP asset limit since March 1, 2024).
- 130 CMR 519.010–519.011 (official regulation).
- CMS, 2026 Medicare Parts A & B premiums and deductibles; Medicare.gov, Medicare Savings Programs.
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