2026 Louisiana Medicare Savings Program Income Limits
The income thresholds below are based on the 2026 Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and apply statewide. Louisiana uses a $20 monthly income disregard on unearned income (like Social Security), which is already factored into these numbers.
QMB Income Limits (100% FPL)
| Household Size | Monthly Income Limit | Annual Income Limit |
|---|
| Individual | $1,350 | $16,200 |
| Couple | $1,823 | $21,876 |
SLMB Income Limits (120% FPL)
| Household Size | Monthly Income Limit | Annual Income Limit |
|---|
| Individual | $1,616 | $19,392 |
| Couple | $2,184 | $26,208 |
QI Income Limits (135% FPL)
| Household Size | Monthly Income Limit | Annual Income Limit |
|---|
| Individual | $1,816 | $21,792 |
| Couple | $2,455 | $29,460 |
QDWI Income Limits (200% FPL)
| Household Size | Monthly Income Limit | Annual Income Limit |
|---|
| Individual | $5,405 | $64,860 |
| Couple | $7,299 | $87,588 |
QDWI has a separate resource limit ($4,000 individual / $6,000 couple) and is designed for people under 65 who have a disability, lost premium-free Part A after returning to work, and need help paying the Part A premium.
Asset Limits in Louisiana
For QMB, SLMB, and QI, Louisiana follows the federal resource limits:
- Individual: $9,950
- Couple: $14,910
Countable resources include checking accounts, savings accounts, stocks, and bonds. They do not include your primary home, one vehicle, personal belongings, or burial funds up to $1,500 per person.
Some sources report that Louisiana has eliminated asset tests for MSPs. The LDH application still collects resource information, so confirm with LDH directly if your situation is near the limit.
What Each Program Covers
QMB: The Most Comprehensive Benefit
QMB pays your Medicare Part A premium (if you have one), Part B premium ($185/month in 2026 for most beneficiaries), and all Medicare cost-sharing, including deductibles, copays, and coinsurance for services covered under Parts A and B.
Providers are prohibited by law from billing QMB beneficiaries for Medicare cost-sharing. If a provider bills you for a copay or deductible, you have the right to dispute it.
QMB also automatically qualifies you for full Part D Extra Help (Low Income Subsidy), which caps drug copays at $5.10 for generics and $12.65 for brand-name drugs in 2026.
SLMB: Part B Premium Coverage
SLMB pays your Medicare Part B premium only. It does not cover deductibles or copays. However, SLMB automatically triggers full Part D Extra Help, the same prescription drug subsidy that QMB recipients receive.
QI: Part B Premium at a Higher Income Band
QI also pays only the Part B premium. QI funding is federally capped, so enrollment operates on a first-come, first-served basis each year. If you exceed the SLMB limit but fall below the QI ceiling, apply early in the year. QI also comes with automatic Part D Extra Help.
QDWI: Part A Premium for Working People with Disabilities
QDWI pays only the Part A premium for a narrow group: people under 65 with disabilities who returned to work, lost premium-free Medicare Part A as a result, and have income below 200% FPL. This program does not confer automatic Extra Help.
Part D Extra Help Income Limits 2026
Even if you do not qualify for a Medicare Savings Program, you may qualify for Part D Extra Help on its own. The 2026 income limits for standalone Extra Help are:
| Household Size | Monthly Income Limit | Annual Income Limit |
|---|
| Individual | $1,995 | $23,940 |
| Couple | $2,705 | $32,460 |
Resource limits for standalone Extra Help are $16,590 for an individual and $33,100 for a couple. You can apply through the Social Security Administration by calling 1-800-772-1213 or online at ssa.gov.
Basic Medicare Eligibility Requirements
Before applying for a Medicare Savings Program, you must be enrolled in Medicare. The standard eligibility rules are:
- Age 65 or older, with U.S. citizenship or at least five years of lawful permanent residency
- Any age with a qualifying disability after receiving Social Security Disability (SSDI) benefits for 24 consecutive months
- Any age with a diagnosis of ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) or end-stage renal disease (ESRD)
Premium-free Medicare Part A requires at least 40 work credits (roughly 10 years of Medicare-covered employment). If you or your spouse paid Medicare taxes for fewer quarters, you may still buy Part A, and QDWI can help cover that premium if your income qualifies.
Initial Enrollment Period: You have a seven-month window to enroll, starting three months before your 65th birthday month and ending three months after. Missing this window without a qualifying Special Enrollment Period results in a permanent late-enrollment penalty on Part B.
How to Apply for a Medicare Savings Program in Louisiana
Louisiana routes MSP applications through the Medicaid office. Here are the four ways to apply:
Step 1: Confirm Medicare enrollment. You must have Medicare Part A active before LDH can process your MSP application. Enroll at ssa.gov or call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213.
Step 2: Gather your documents. You will need:
- Proof of Medicare enrollment (Medicare card or Social Security award letter)
- Proof of income (Social Security benefit statement, pension statements, pay stubs)
- Proof of resources (bank statements for checking, savings, investment accounts)
- Proof of Louisiana residency (utility bill, lease, or government mail)
- Photo ID or birth certificate
Step 3: Choose an application method.
- Online: Apply through the Louisiana Medicaid Self-Service Portal at sspweb.lameds.ldh.la.gov
- Phone: Call LDH at 1-888-342-6207, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- In person: Visit your local LDH Medicaid office. A directory is at ldh.la.gov.
- Via Social Security: Filing for Part D Extra Help using Form SSA-1020 also triggers an automatic MSP application referral to LDH.
Step 4: Wait for a determination. LDH must process non-disability MSP applications within 45 days. QMB coverage begins the first day of the month after approval. SLMB and QI allow up to three months of retroactive coverage.
Step 5: Renew annually. MSP benefits require annual renewal. LDH sends renewal forms by mail. Complete and return them on time to avoid a gap in coverage.
Free Help: Louisiana SHIIP
If you need help comparing Medicare plans or understanding your MSP options, Louisiana's Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) offers free, unbiased counseling from trained volunteers. SHIIP counselors do not sell insurance.
Call SHIIP at 1-800-259-5300 or visit ldi.la.gov/consumers/senior-health-shiip. Counselors can help you decide between Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare, pick a Part D plan, and verify whether you qualify for any savings programs.
What About Full Medicaid?
MSPs are different from full Louisiana Medicaid (Healthy Louisiana). Full Medicaid covers a wider range of services, including long-term care, dental, and vision, but has different income thresholds depending on your eligibility category. Adults 65 and older with very low income may qualify for both Medicare and full Medicaid simultaneously, a status called "dual eligible." If you are dual eligible, Medicaid covers most costs that Medicare does not.
For more details on full Medicaid income limits in Louisiana, visit the Louisiana Department of Health at ldh.la.gov.
Check Your Eligibility
Not sure which program fits your situation? Use our free benefits screener at benefitsusa.org/screener to check your eligibility across Medicare Savings Programs, Medicaid, SNAP, and other assistance programs in Louisiana. It takes about two minutes and covers all programs available in your ZIP code.
You can also explore the full Louisiana benefits overview at benefitsusa.org/states/louisiana.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income limit for Medicare in Louisiana in 2026?
The income limit depends on which program you are asking about. For QMB, the limit is $1,350 per month for an individual ($1,823 for a couple). For SLMB, the limit rises to $1,616 per month individual ($2,184 couple). For QI, the limit goes up to $1,816 per month individual ($2,455 couple). These figures use the $20 standard income disregard and reflect 2026 FPL levels.
Does Louisiana have asset limits for Medicare Savings Programs?
The federal standard resource limits are $9,950 for an individual and $14,910 for a couple. Your primary home, one vehicle, and personal belongings do not count toward these limits. Some sources indicate Louisiana may waive the asset test in practice; contact LDH at 1-888-342-6207 to confirm.
How do I apply for the Medicare Savings Program in Louisiana?
Apply online at the Louisiana Medicaid Self-Service Portal (sspweb.lameds.ldh.la.gov), by phone at 1-888-342-6207, in person at a local LDH office, or through Social Security by filing for Extra Help using Form SSA-1020. You need proof of Medicare enrollment, income, resources, and Louisiana residency.
What does QMB cover in Louisiana?
QMB covers your Medicare Part A premium (if applicable), Part B premium, and all Medicare cost-sharing including deductibles and copays. Providers cannot bill QMB enrollees for Medicare cost-sharing. QMB also confers automatic Part D Extra Help, which caps prescription drug copays at $5.10 for generics in 2026.
Can I get Part D Extra Help without a Medicare Savings Program?
Yes. Standalone Part D Extra Help has a higher income limit: $23,940 per year for an individual and $32,460 for a couple in 2026. Apply through Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or ssa.gov.
What is the difference between QMB and SLMB?
QMB covers the most, paying both the Part B premium and all Medicare cost-sharing. SLMB pays only the Part B premium but still comes with automatic Part D Extra Help. If your income is between the QMB and SLMB cutoffs, SLMB may be the right tier for you.
Who qualifies for QDWI in Louisiana?
QDWI is for people under 65 who have a disability, returned to work and lost premium-free Part A as a result, and have income below 200% FPL (up to $5,405 per month for an individual in 2026). It pays only the Part A premium and has a separate resource limit of $4,000 for individuals.
Does getting a Medicare Savings Program affect my Social Security?
No. Enrollment in QMB, SLMB, or QI does not reduce your Social Security benefit. For QMB and SLMB, the program pays your Part B premium directly to Medicare, so your Social Security check should increase by the amount that was previously deducted for Part B.
