Seniors Medicare and Medicaid Enrollees
Related Resources
Opportunities to Increase Enrollment in Medicare Savings Programs Informational Bulletin
Medicare Savings Programs (MSP) Model Application for Medicare Premium Assistance
Medicaid provides health coverage to 7.2 million low-income seniors who are also enrolled in Medicare. Medicaid also provides coverage to 4.8 million people with disabilities who are enrolled in Medicare. In total, 12 million people are “dually eligible” and enrolled in both Medicaid and Medicare, composing more than 15% of all Medicaid enrollees. Individuals who are enrolled in both Medicaid and Medicare, by federal statute, can be covered for both optional and mandatory categories.
What Medicaid Covers for Medicare Enrollees
Medicare has four basic forms of coverage:
Medicare enrollees who have limited income and resources may get help paying for their premiums and out-of-pocket medical expenses from Medicaid (e.g. MSPs, QMBs, SLBs, and QIs). Medicaid also covers additional services beyond those provided under Medicare, including nursing facility care beyond the 100-day limit or skilled nursing facility care that Medicare covers, prescription drugs, eyeglasses, and hearing aids. Services covered by both programs are first paid by Medicare with Medicaid filling in the difference up to the state’s payment limit.
2023 Dual Eligible Standards
(Based on Percentage of Federal Poverty Level)
Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB):
Monthly Income Limits: (100% FPL + $20)*
Region | Individual | Couple |
All States and DC (Except Alaska & Hawaii) | $1,235 | $1,663 |
Alaska | $1,538 | $2,073 |
Hawaii | $1,418 | $1,910 |
Asset Limits | $9,090 | $13,630 |
*$20 = Amount of the Monthly SSI Income Disregard
Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB):
Monthly Income Limits: (120% FPL + $20)*
Region | Individual | Couple |
All States and DC (Except Alaska & Hawaii) | $1,478 | $1,992 |
Alaska | $1,841 | $2,484 |
Hawaii | $1,697 | $2,288 |
Asset Limits | $9,090 | $13,630 |
*$20 = Amount of the Monthly SSI Income Disregard
Qualifying Individual (QI):
Monthly Income Limits: (135% FPL + $20)*
Region | Individual | Couple |
All States and DC (Except Alaska & Hawaii) | $1,660 | $2,239 |
Alaska | $2,069 | $2,792 |
Hawaii | $1,907 | $2,572 |
Asset Limits | $9,090 | $13,630 |
*$20 = Amount of the Monthly SSI Income Disregard
Qualified Disabled Working Individual (QDWI):
Monthly Income Limits: (200% FPL + $20)*
(Figures include additional earned income disregards)
Region | Individual | Couple |
All States and DC (Except Alaska & Hawaii) | $4,945 | $6,659 |
Alaska | $6,155 | $8,299 |
Hawaii | $5,675 | $7,645 |
Asset Limits | $4,000 | $6,000 |
*$20 = Amount of the Monthly SSI Income Disregard