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Medicare-Savings-Programs-in-California

Medicare-Savings-Programs-in-California

Phone number
(800) 541-5555 (Medi-Cal Helpline)
Category
Senior
Health
Auto tags
Eligibility
Medicare enrollees with monthly income up to $1,330 (QMB) / $1,596 (SLMB) / $1,796 (QI) individual, with proportional couple limits. Asset limit $130,000 individual (reinstated Jan 1, 2026).
Auto Summary
California's Medicare Savings Programs (QMB, SLMB, QI, QDWI) help low-income Medicare enrollees pay Part A/B premiums and cost-sharing. 2026 monthly income limits range from $1,330 (QMB individual) to $2,436 (QI couple). Asset limit reinstated Jan 1, 2026 at $130,000/individual. Since Jan 2025, CA auto-enrolls QMB-eligible Medi-Cal members into Part A Buy-In. Apply via BenefitsCal.com, by phone (800) 541-5555, or at a county social services office using the standard Medi-Cal application.
Value
Helps pay Medicare premiums, deductibles, and copayments for eligible low-income Californians
Espanol
Programas de Ahorro de Medicare en California - Programas que ayudan a californianos de bajos ingresos elegibles a pagar primas, deducibles y copagos de Medicare. Puede aplicar en línea en BenefitsCal.org o llamar a la línea de ayuda de Medi-Cal.
URL
https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/individuals/Pages/Medicare-Savings-Programs-in-California.aspx
Heads-up — asset limit reinstated Jan 1, 2026. California reinstated a Medi-Cal/MSP asset limit on 2026-01-01: $130,000 per individual, plus $65,000 for each additional household member (up to 10). The previous "no asset limit" period (2024–2025) has ended. Source: DHCS / Justice in Aging.
California's Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) help low-income Medicare enrollees pay Part A and Part B premiums, and sometimes deductibles and copays. There are four programs — you apply to all of them with a single Medi-Cal application, and the county figures out which one you qualify for.

2026 income limits (gross monthly)

Source: DHCS — Medicare Savings Programs in California (2026 figures).
Program
Individual
Couple
What it pays
QMB — Qualified Medicare Beneficiary
$1,330/mo ($15,960/yr)
$1,804/mo ($21,640/yr)
Part A + Part B premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, copays
SLMB — Specified Low-Income Beneficiary
$1,596/mo ($19,152/yr)
$2,165/mo ($25,968/yr)
Part B premium only
QI — Qualifying Individual
$1,796/mo ($21,546/yr)
$2,436/mo ($29,214/yr)
Part B premium only (must reapply each year)
QDWI — Qualified Disabled & Working Individual
$2,660/mo ($31,920/yr)
$3,608/mo ($43,280/yr)
Part A premium for working disabled people who lost premium-free Part A
Asset limit (2026): $130,000 individual / +$65,000 per additional household member.

Part A Buy-In (automatic since Jan 2025)

Since January 1, 2025, California is a Medicare Part A Buy-In State. If you have full-scope Medi-Cal, are enrolled in Part B, and qualify for QMB, the state automatically enrolls you in Part A and pays the Part A premium — no separate application needed. (DHCS Medicare Premium Payment page)

How to apply

You use the regular Medi-Cal application — there is no separate MSP form. Apply any of these ways:
  • In person: Walk into your local county social services office
When you apply, tell the eligibility worker you want to be considered for a Medicare Savings Program.

Worth checking even if you're not sure

A few reasons to apply even if you think you're over the limit:
  • The $20/month "unearned income disregard" means real income limits are effectively a bit higher than the table.
  • California's asset limit ($130,000) is far more generous than the federal MSP asset rules used in most states.
  • If you qualify for QMB, providers can't bill you for Medicare cost-sharing — that alone can save thousands a year.

More info