2023 Florida Medicare Savings Programs

The Florida Medicare Savings Program is a government-funded program that helps people pay their Medicare health insurance premiums. It also pays for other costs that depend on individual income. Cost-sharing includes out-of-pocket payments, self-financed benefits, and fixed payments for administering certain medications. The savings program helps with three different parts:

· Part A, which concerns inpatient hospital care.

· Part B includes outpatient services and visits to doctors.

· Part D, which covers the prescription drug plan. There are other parts of savings programs that private companies provide. They provide these services at a cost set by the government. The programs include:

A person who qualifies for Part A may qualify for the Medicare Savings Programs.

The eligibility criteria for Part A include:

· Seniors 65 and older.

· An individual receiving pension benefits

· People with disabilities

· Patients with terminal kidney disease

· Amyotrophic Lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients.

· US Citizens / Legal Immigrants

Medicare savings programs have four levels, based on a person's income and resources:

· QMB - Qualified Medicare Beneficiary

· SLMB - Specified Low-income Medicare Beneficiary 

· QI1 - Qualified Individual Program

· QDWI - Qualified disabled and working Individuals

We'll look at all of those below in more detail.

· Current checking account and savings account

· Bonds

· Stocks

· Investment funds

· Property

Some resources don't count when determining income and resource levels. They include:

· The primary home and vehicle

· Funeral plot and costs up to $1,500

· Furniture and household items

· Personal items

· Money held in your hand is not counted for nine months. Examples of holding money are tax advances and housing allowances.

This is a program that pays health premiums for people with limited income and resources. It covers Part A and B premiums, out-of-pocket deductible expenses, co-insurance, and co-payments.

Who is eligible for QMB?

· A person who qualifies for Medicare Part A

· A Florida resident

· A US citizen or immigrant with residency status

· 2023 - An individual whose monthly income is less than $1,235, or $1,663 for couples

· 2023 - Assets of USD $9090 or less for an individual or USD $13,630 for a couple

How to apply for QMB Program in Florida

· The easiest way is to call us at 888-997-5204 and have us help.

· You can otherwise visit the local Department of Child and Family Services DCF office. Most offices are currently closed due to covid.

What to do if you have QMB benefits, and the hospital charges you.

· Make sure your doctor knows you are in the program.

· Find out if your doctor accepts Medicare.

· Contact the Customer Relations Department if the billing persists.

· If you are not getting help, call your local Legal Aid to see if he/she can help.

This program helps state residents reduce payments for Part B premiums. When Clients apply for QI1 benefits, they receive them on a first-come-first-service basis. Those who received benefits in the previous year also come first.

Who is eligible for QI1?

· Those with Part A coverage and those eligible for Part A

· Singles with a monthly income of $1,660 and couples $2,239

· Singles whose annual asset limit is $9,090 and couples with an $13,630 asset limit.

QI1 medical benefits

· It pays Part B premiums.

· Automatic extra help

How to apply for QI in Florida

The application process is like the process in QMB above.  Or for the easiest way, call us at 888-997-5204 and we will help you.

It helps the working class living with disabilities and under 65 years old to pay their Part A premiums.

Who is eligible for QDWI?

A person who works under 65 and lives with a disability

Anyone Who has lost the non-contributory part A after resuming work

Anyone who does not receive medical help from the state

Must have lost SSDI due to employment.

Medical benefits of QDWI

Reduces the cost of inpatient services.

How to apply for QDWI

You can apply for this program by visiting your local Medicaid office.

QDWI is renewable every year. The local Medicaid office will send renewal notices by email, reminding recipients to renew.

This program is a federally-funded program that reduces the cost of out-of-pocket prescription drugs. It is also known as a Low Income Subsidy (LIS). Extra help has two categories, full extra help, and partial help. Full extra help covers Individuals with monthly incomes equal to or less than $1,705 for singles and $2,307 for couples.  

What does Extra Help cover?

It covers prescription costs, deductibles, and co-insurance. It can also cover Part D penalties.

Who is eligible for LIS?

· Single people whose monthly income is less than $1,705, and less than $2,307 for couples. They should also have a wealth limit of $15,510 or less for singles and $30,950 or less for couples.

What Does Extra Help Get You?

· It Reduces the cost of prescription drugs.

· It Clears the penalty for Part D caused by late registration.

How to apply for Extra Help (LIS)

· Call us for help at 888-997-5204.