Medicare Savings Plan in Alabama

Help Paying for Medicare in Alabama

If you have Medicare and have a lower monthly income, Alabama may be able to help pay some of your Medicare costs.

This help is called a Medicare Savings Program.

The program is run by Alabama Medicaid.

You can have Medicare and get this help from Medicaid at the same time.

The Good News: Alabama Does Not Count Your Savings

For Alabama’s Medicare Savings Programs, there is no limit on how much money you have in the bank.

Alabama looks at your monthly income to see if you qualify.

That means Alabama does not use a resource or asset limit for these Medicare Savings Programs.

So having money in:

• A checking account
• A savings account
• Other savings or assets

does not by itself stop you from getting a Medicare Savings Program.

This is different from some other types of Medicaid.

For Alabama’s Medicare Savings Programs, the big number to look at is your monthly income.

How Can the Program Help Me?

Most people with Medicare Part B have a Part B premium taken out of their Social Security check every month.

If you qualify for a Medicare Savings Program, Alabama Medicaid can pay your Part B premium for you.

That means more of your Social Security money can stay in your pocket each month.

Some people can get even more help with their Medicare bills.

There Are 3 Main Levels of Help

Alabama has three main Medicare Savings Programs:

QMB

SLMB

QI

You do not need to remember what all the letters stand for.

Here is an easy way to remember them:

QMB = The most help

SLMB = Helps pay your Part B premium

QI = Helps pay your Part B premium

2026 Alabama Monthly Income Chart

Here are the monthly income limits published by Alabama Medicaid for 2026:

Program	One Person	Married Couple	What It Helps Pay
QMB	$1,350 or less	$1,824 or less	Part B premium and other Medicare costs
SLMB	$1,350.01–$1,616	$1,824.01–$2,184	Part B premium
QI	$1,616.01–$1,816	$2,184.01–$2,455	Part B premium

These are gross monthly income amounts. Gross means the amount you receive before deductions are taken out.

The income limits can change each year.

If your income is close to one of these amounts, apply and let Alabama Medicaid decide if you qualify.

QMB Gives You the Most Help

QMB stands for Qualified Medicare Beneficiary.

QMB gives you the most help.

If you qualify, Alabama Medicaid can help pay your:

• Medicare Part B premium
• Medicare deductibles
• Medicare coinsurance

It can also help with your Part A premium if you have to pay one and meet the rules.

Here is an easy way to think about QMB:

QMB helps with your monthly Medicare premium AND many of the bills Medicare normally leaves for you to pay.

For example, Original Medicare normally leaves you responsible for 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for many Part B services.

If you have QMB, you get important protection from those Medicare costs when the rules are met.

SLMB Helps Pay Your Part B Premium

SLMB stands for Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary.

You do not need to remember that long name.

Just remember:

SLMB helps pay your Medicare Part B premium.

If you qualify, Alabama Medicaid pays the Part B premium for you.

That can put more money back into your Social Security check each month.

QI Also Helps Pay Your Part B Premium

QI stands for Qualifying Individual.

QI is for people who have a little more monthly income than people who qualify for SLMB.

It also helps pay your:

Medicare Part B premium.

Money for the QI program is limited. If you think you may qualify, it is a good idea to apply.

You May Also Get Extra Help With Your Medicine

There is another very important benefit.

If you qualify for QMB, SLMB, or QI, you can also qualify automatically for Medicare’s Extra Help program.

Extra Help helps people pay for their Medicare Part D prescription drugs.

It can help lower what you pay for:

• Your drug plan
• Your drug deductible
• Your prescriptions

So getting a Medicare Savings Program can help you in two big ways:

It can help pay your Medicare Part B premium.

AND

It can help you get Extra Help with your prescription drugs.

An Easy Example

Let’s say Mary lives in Alabama.

Mary is single and gets:

$1,500 per month in gross income.

Mary has Medicare Part A and Part B.

Based on Alabama’s 2026 income chart, Mary’s income falls in the SLMB range.

Mary also has $20,000 in her savings account.

That savings does not automatically disqualify Mary from Alabama’s Medicare Savings Program because Alabama does not use a resource limit for this program.

Mary applies for help.

If Alabama Medicaid approves Mary for SLMB, Medicaid can pay her Medicare Part B premium.

Mary can also qualify for Extra Help with her Medicare prescription drug costs.

That could save Mary a lot of money each year.

How Do I Apply in Alabama?

You apply through the Alabama Medicaid Agency.

The application is called:

Form 211 — Application for Medicare Savings Programs

This is a shorter application made especially for people who want help paying their Medicare costs.

Step 1: Fill Out Form 211

Fill out the application with information about yourself and your income.

If you are married, the application will also ask for information about your spouse.

Step 2: Show Proof of Your Monthly Income

Alabama Medicaid tells applicants to send proof of their gross monthly income.

Gross income means your income before taxes or other deductions are taken out.

Step 3: Send the Application to Alabama Medicaid

You can send the completed Form 211 to Alabama Medicaid.

Alabama currently allows the application to be sent by email or mail.

You can also contact Alabama Medicaid if you need help completing the application.

Step 4: Let Medicaid Decide

You do not have to figure out whether you are QMB, SLMB, or QI before you apply.

Fill out the application and let Alabama Medicaid determine which program you qualify for.

The Most Important Thing to Remember

If you have Medicare and your monthly income is limited, you should check to see if Alabama can help pay your Medicare costs.

And remember this important Alabama rule:

There is no resource or asset limit for Alabama’s Medicare Savings Programs.

You do not have to be broke.

You do not have to empty your savings account.

You do not have to spend down your money just to apply for a Medicare Savings Program.

Alabama looks at your monthly income for these programs.

Then remember the three levels:

QMB = The Most Help

Helps pay your Part B premium and other Medicare costs.

SLMB = Part B Help

Helps pay your Medicare Part B premium.

QI = Part B Help

Also helps pay your Medicare Part B premium for people with a little higher monthly income.

And all three can also help you get Extra Help with your prescription drug costs.

If your income is anywhere close to the limits, the best thing to do is:

APPLY.

Let Alabama Medicaid decide whether you qualify.

If your income is on the higher end instead, see how IRMAA can raise your Part B and Part D premiums.