Medicare Savings Programs in Louisiana: 2026 income limits and how to apply

What is different in Louisiana

Most states limit how much money you can have in the bank to get a Medicare Savings Program (MSP). Louisiana dropped that rule on October 1, 2019. Since then, LDH disregards resources for QMB, SLMB and QI. Your savings, retirement accounts, a second car or other property will not keep you out. Only your income is checked.

The income limits are the federal ones. LDH's own chart shows numbers about $20 lower, because it lists the limit after the first $20 of your income is already taken off.

Who qualifies

You must:

• Live in Louisiana.
• Have Medicare Part A (hospital insurance), or be able to get it.
• Have countable income under the limit for your program.

These amounts are 100%, 120% and 135% of the federal poverty level, before the $20 is taken off. LDH updates its chart each spring, when the new poverty levels come out.

What counts as income

LDH uses the same income rules as SSI:

• Counted: Social Security, pensions, VA payments, annuities, wages and most other money that comes in each month. Gross amounts are used, before Medicare premiums are taken out.
• First $20: The first $20 a month of your income is not counted.
• Work earnings: After that, $65 of earnings and half of the rest are not counted.
• Social Security raise in January: LDH does not count the new cost-of-living increase from January until the month after the new poverty levels are released. After that, your full check counts.
• Married couples: If you live with your spouse, your income is added together and checked against the couple limit. If your spouse is in a nursing home or on a home care waiver, you may be budgeted as one person.

Assets: None are counted for QMB, SLMB or QI. Only QDWI, a small program for some working people with disabilities, has an asset limit.

What each program pays

QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary)

• Pays your Part B premium of $202.90 a month.
• Pays your Part A premium if you have one.
• Pays Medicare deductibles, coinsurance and copays. Doctors and hospitals that take Medicare may not bill you for these.
• Starts the month after LDH approves you. It does not pay for months before you applied.

SLMB (Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary)

• Pays your Part B premium only.
• Can start up to 3 months before the month you applied, if you qualified then. Ask for these months on your application.

QI (Qualifying Individual)

• Pays your Part B premium only.

With any of these programs, you also get Extra Help with Part D drug costs automatically.

How to apply

1. Gather your papers. Bring or send your Medicare card, your Social Security award letter for this year, and proof of any pension or other income.
2. Choose how to apply:
   • Online: the Medicaid Self-Service Portal at sspweb.lameds.ldh.la.gov/selfservice.
   • Paper: print the Medicare Savings Program application from ldh.la.gov and mail or fax it as the form directs.
   • Phone: Medicaid Customer Service, 1-888-342-6207 (TTY 1-800-220-5404), Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
   • In person: a regional Medicaid office or local application center. Many need an appointment, so call first.
3. Answer every question on the form. LDH may ask for more proof. You get at least 10 days to send it.
4. Wait for a decision. LDH aims to decide most applications within 45 days.

After you are approved

• Renewal: Coverage is approved for up to 12 months at a time. When you get a renewal letter, renew at ldh.la.gov/renew-medicaid or by phone. Send back anything LDH asks for by the date on the letter.
• Report changes: Tell LDH if your income goes up, you marry, or you move.

If you are denied

You can appeal. The notice gives the date your appeal is due. If you appeal within 10 days, your current benefits keep going while the appeal is reviewed.

• Online: the appeal form linked from ldh.la.gov (Division of Administrative Law).
• Mail: Division of Administrative Law, Health and Hospitals Section, P.O. Box 4189, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-4189.
• Fax: 225-219-9823. Phone: 225-342-5800 (a written request is better).

Common mistakes

• Not applying because of savings. In Louisiana, savings do not matter for QMB, SLMB or QI.
• Using net income. The limit is checked against your gross Social Security, before the Part B premium comes out.
• Missing the SLMB back months. Ask for retroactive coverage if you qualified in the 3 months before you applied.
• Ignoring the renewal letter. Coverage stops if you do not renew.

Free help

• Louisiana Senior Health Information Program (LaSHIP): free Medicare counseling from the Louisiana Department of Insurance. Call 1-800-259-5300 or (225) 342-5301. Counselors can help you apply.
• Medicaid Customer Service: 1-888-342-6207.

See all benefits in Louisiana, or read about Medicare and Extra Help.

Phone numbers: Free help lines for Louisiana agencies

Check what you may qualify for