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Medicare Savings Programs in Alabama – February 2022

Alabama has different programs for low- income individuals or couples who qualify for Medicare. The services you get depend on how much income you have. These programs pay Medicare premiums, and in some cases, Medicare deductibles and coinsurance.

To be eligible for the Medicare Savings Programs:

• Be eligible for Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance)

• Be living in Alabama

• Be a U.S. citizen, or

• Be in satisfactory immigration status (You must provide proof of immigrant status)

• Have a monthly income below a certain limit.

Medicare Savings Programs:

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The Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Program. Under the QMB Program, Medicaid:

• Pays the Medicare Part B premium, which is $170.10 per month,

QMB coverage starts the month after you have been approved by Medicaid. You will receive a Medicaid card for the QMB Program. Give this card to your doctor or hospital when you go in for a visit. Make sure your doctor or hospital takes Medicaid.

QMB Income limits: 2022

$1,153.00 per month (gross) for individuals who are single, widowed, divorced, or separated,

$1,546.00 per month (gross) for a couple.

Specified Low Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) Program. Under the Specified Low Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) program, Medicaid pays:

• The Medicare Part B premium only, which is $170.10 per month. You will not receive a Medicaid card for the SLMB Program. Coverage may begin up to 3 months prior to the application month if you meet the requirements.

SLMB Income limits: 2022

$1,153.01 – 1,379.00 per month (gross) for individuals who are single, widowed, divorced, or separated,

$1,546.01 – 1,851.00 per month (gross) for a couple.

Qualified Individual-1 (QI-1) Program.

Under the Qualifying Individual-1 (QI-1) program, Medicaid pays:

• The Medicare Part B premium only, which is $170.10 per month.You will not receive a Medicaid card for the QI-1 Program. Coverage may begin up to 3 months prior to the application month, if you meet the requirements.

QI-1 Income limits: 2022

$1,379.01 – 1,549.00 per month (gross) for individuals who are single, widowed, divorced, or separated,

$1,851.01– 2080.00 per month (gross) for a couple.

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Medicaid’s Medicare Advantage Managed Care Plan

There are eight Medicare Advantage Plans that contract with Medicaid and offer an alternative to traditional Medicare coverage in Alabama. By enrolling with one of these plans and using a provider in their network, neither you nor Medicaid will pay any copayments, co-insurance or deductibles for Medicare services during the time that you are enrolled in the Medicare Advantage Plan. For information on these plans, contact:

                        Paul Todd       205-616-4325       paul@todaysmedicaresolutions.com

Some questions you may have about the Medicare Savings Programs in Alabama:

1. How do I apply for the Medicare Savings Programs?

Complete a Form 211 and mail to the District Office that serves the county where you live. A listing of the District Offices is on the last page of the application.

2. What happens to the application once it reaches the District Office?

Your application will be assigned to a caseworker who will review the information provided. You will be contacted by mail or phone if they have any questions. Please follow the instructions listed on page 1 of the application to avoid delays in processing your application. You will be notified by mail of the status (approval or denial) of your application

3. How long does it take Social Security to stop taking the Part B premium out of my check?

It will take two months for Social Security to stop taking the Part B premium out of your check. Once the premium is stopped, you will get a refund of all the premiums taken out of your check for the months you were deemed eligible for a Medicare Savings Program. If your check is direct deposit, your refund will also be direct deposit. If after 2 months from the month you were awarded for a Medicare Savings Program, Social Security continues to take out the Part B premium from your check, please contact the Medicaid Agency’s Buy- In Unit at (334) 242-5268.