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The Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) Program is one of the four Medicare Savings Programs that allows you to get help from your state to pay your Medicare premiums. This Program helps pay for Part B premiums only.
May 15, 2024 · Category: Medicaid, LIS, & Extra Help. Updated: May, 15 2024. < Previous. Next >. SLMB or " Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary" is a person qualifying for a type of Medicare Savings Program (MSP) designed for people with limited monthly income and resources (assets).
- Overview
- What is the Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary program?
- SLMB eligibility
- How do I enroll?
- The takeaway
•A Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) program helps you pay for Medicare Part B premiums.
•A state’s Medicaid program funds the SLMB program. However, you don’t have to be eligible for Medicaid to enroll in an SLMB.
•To qualify, you must have certain monthly income or resource limitations.
A Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) program is a state-sponsored program that provides financial assistance in paying for Medicare Part B premiums.
To qualify, you or your spouse must have limited income and resources. This program can help make healthcare more affordable if you have difficulty paying your medical bills.
In this article, we’ll cover the details of what an SLMB program does, who may be eligible, how to enroll, and more.
An SLMB program is one of four different Medicare savings programs. The purpose of these programs is help you pay for Medicare costs through state assistance. SLMB is intended to help you pay for Medicare Part B premiums, which can save you more than $1,700 each year.
Even if you qualify for premium-free Part A plan, you usually still need to pay the monthly premium for Medicare Part B. For 2021, the lowest premium amount is $148.50 per month. However, an SLMB program will cover these expenses and lower your overall healthcare costs.
To be eligible for a SLMB program, you must also be eligible for Medicare Part A and meet certain income or resource requirements to qualify.
To be eligible for Medicare Part A, you must be 65 years or older or have a qualifying disability, end stage renal disease (ESRD), or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). You also must have worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 40 quarters (about 10 years) to qualify for premium-free Part A.
To participate in the SLMB program, you must have limited income and resources. These financial limits may vary from year to year. For 2021, the income limits are listed in the following chart.
Income limits are slightly higher in Alaska and Hawaii. You should contact your state’s Medicaid office to find out the current limits if you live in these states.
Here are some steps you can take to start the enrollment process for the SLMB program:
•Contact your state’s Medicaid office and ask how to apply. This may involve an appointment in person or submitting an application online or by mail.
•Collect the necessary documents to show your state’s Medicaid office. These typically include your Medicare card, Social Security card, birth certificate or other proof of citizenship, proof of address, proof of income, and a bank statement that outlines your assets.
•Make copies of these key documents in case you need them again.
•Look for a notice in the mail within 45 days that informs you of your application status.
•If Medicaid has denied your application, you have a right to request a hearing to challenge this decision.
•The SLMB program can pay for your Medicare Part B premiums.
•You may qualify based on your income or resources. These limits may vary from state to state.
•Contact your state’s Medicaid office to find out how to apply and what types of documentation you need.
•You should hear back within 45 days of applying if you qualify.
Under the SLMB program, Medicaid covers the Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) premium for certain Medicare beneficiaries who have limited income and assets. The Part B premium is a fixed amount you pay for coverage each month. This amount is typically deducted automatically from your Social Security check.
Jan 12, 2024 · What does SLMB pay for? SLMB benefits cover the cost of the monthly Medicare Part B premium. The standard Part B premium in 2024 is $174.70 per month and is required of all Medicare Part B beneficiaries. Learn More About Medicare.
Jun 29, 2020 · The Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) program helps people with Medicare Part A pay for their Medicare Part B monthly premiums or out-of-pocket costs. A person is eligible for...
Jul 17, 2023 · The SLMB program pays the Medicare Part B monthly premium, but doesn't pay any Medicare deductibles or coinsurance amounts. Nonetheless, this means potential savings of more than a thousand dollars per year.
