Who pays my Medicare Part B premium if I qualify for QMB?

What this means

• QMB stands for Qualified Medicare Beneficiary, the highest level of the Medicare Savings Programs.
• QMB also makes you a protected beneficiary: doctors, hospitals and suppliers who take Medicare are forbidden by federal law from billing you for Medicare deductibles, coinsurance or copays.
• Your Social Security benefit amount itself does not change. What changes is that the deduction stops.
• QMB approval automatically enrolls you in Extra Help for prescription drugs.

What to do first

1. Apply for the Medicare Savings Program through your state Medicaid agency and ask which level you were approved for.
2. Once approved, keep the approval letter and show it to any provider who sends you a bill for a Medicare copay.
3. If a provider keeps billing you, call 1-800-MEDICARE and report improper billing, and call your State Health Insurance Assistance Program for help.

What you'll need

• Medicare card
• Social Security award letter
• Proof of address
• Bank statements
• Proof of income for everyone in the household
• Notes about the call or offer if you are reporting a scam
• Your Medicare Summary Notices or Explanation of Benefits

Where to go

• Medicare Savings Programs (QMB, SLMB, QI): https://www.medicaid.gov/about-us/where-can-people-get-help-medicaid-chip
• Senior Medicare Patrol: Fraud and Billing Errors: https://smpresource.org/locator/