The Mississippi Medicare Savings Program (MSP) is a Medicaid-funded benefit administered by the Mississippi Division of Medicaid (DOM) that helps low-income Medicare beneficiaries pay their Medicare costs. Three tiers exist in 2026: the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program, the Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) program, and the Qualifying Individual (QI) program. A fourth, smaller tier called QDWI assists disabled working individuals who need help paying the Part A premium. Mississippi has eliminated the resource (asset) test for all three main tiers, meaning your savings account, home, and car do not disqualify you.
Mississippi is one of the 10 states that has not expanded Medicaid under the ACA, meaning most adults under 65 without disabilities or dependent children face a coverage gap: they earn too much for traditional Mississippi Medicaid but below 100% FPL for ACA marketplace subsidies, leaving them in the ACA gap. Mississippi MSP income limits do not follow the 138% FPL expansion threshold; instead, QMB uses 100% FPL, SLMB uses 120% FPL, and QI uses 135% FPL. Unlike full Medicaid, MSP does not use MAGI (Modified Adjusted Gross Income) rules; it uses SSI-related income counting with the $50 general income disregard. If you have Medicare and your income is near the poverty level, the Mississippi Medicare Savings Program can reduce or eliminate your Medicare out-of-pocket costs and automatically enroll you in Extra Help for prescription drug savings.
Direct Answer: What Mississippi Medicare Savings Programs Pay in 2026
Yes. Mississippi Medicare Savings Programs help low-income Medicare beneficiaries cover their Medicare costs. In 2026, three main tiers are available to Mississippi residents based on income: QMB (up to 100% FPL) pays premiums plus all Medicare deductibles and cost-sharing; SLMB (up to 120% FPL) pays the Part B premium only; QI (up to 135% FPL) pays the Part B premium only. Mississippi eliminated the asset/resource test for all three programs.
Mississippi Medicare Savings Program tiers by income and coverage 2026| Program | 2026 Income Limit (Individual) | 2026 Income Limit (Couple) | What Mississippi Pays | Asset Test |
|---|
| QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary) | $1,380/month | $1,854/month | Part A and B premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments | None |
| SLMB (Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary) | $1,646/month | $2,214/month | Part B premium only ($202.90/month in 2026) | None |
| QI (Qualifying Individual) | $1,846/month | $2,485/month | Part B premium only ($202.90/month in 2026) | None |
| QDWI (Qualified Disabled Working Individual) | $5,405/month | $7,299/month | Part A premium only (for disabled workers under 65) | $4,000 individual / $6,000 couple |
Mississippi applies a $50 general income disregard plus a $65 earned income disregard (plus half of remaining earned income), which raises effective thresholds above the federal minimums. The 2026 Part B premium of $202.90 per month represents $2,434.80 in annual savings for SLMB and QI enrollees. QI enrollment is subject to a limited federal allotment; if funds are exhausted before year end, new QI approvals may be suspended.
Source: Mississippi Division of Medicaid Medicare Cost-Sharing page; CMS 2026 Medicare Part B Premium
Mississippi QMB Income Limits and What Full Coverage Means
Mississippi QMB is the most comprehensive Medicare Savings Program tier. In 2026, Mississippi QMB income limits are $1,380 per month for a single person and $1,854 per month for a couple. To calculate your eligibility, Mississippi DOM starts with your gross monthly income and subtracts the $50 general income disregard, then the $65 earned income disregard if you work, then half of any remaining earned income. Social Security benefits, pension income, and investment income (dividends, interest) all count as income. Gifts, inheritances received as a lump sum, and most VA benefits do not count.
Mississippi QMB status provides a powerful billing protection: Medicare providers who accept Medicare assignment are legally prohibited from billing QMB enrollees for Medicare cost-sharing, including deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. Mississippi QMB also pays the 2026 Part B premium of $202.90 per month. If a provider bills you incorrectly, contact Medicare at 1-800-633-4227 or the Mississippi Division of Medicaid at 1-800-421-2408 to report the billing violation.
Mississippi SLMB and QI Programs: Part B Premium Savings in 2026
Mississippi SLMB and QI programs both pay only the Medicare Part B premium, which in 2026 is $202.90 per month, or $2,434.80 per year. Mississippi SLMB covers individuals with monthly income between the QMB limit and $1,646 per month (up to 120% FPL), and couples with income up to $2,214 per month. Mississippi QI covers individuals with monthly income between the SLMB limit and $1,846 per month (up to 135% FPL), and couples with income up to $2,485 per month. Both programs apply the same income disregards as QMB: $50 general disregard plus earned income exclusions.
Mississippi SLMB and QI enrollees do not receive a Mississippi Medicaid card and do not get additional Medicaid benefits beyond the Part B premium payment. However, both SLMB and QI approval is retroactive in Mississippi: if you were eligible during the three months before you applied, Mississippi DOM will reimburse the Part B premiums withheld by Social Security during those months. SLMB enrollees must reapply annually; QI approval is also annual and subject to available federal funding.
Extra Help for Medicare Part D Drug Costs in Mississippi
Mississippi Medicare Savings Program enrollment in QMB, SLMB, or QI automatically qualifies you for Medicare Part D Extra Help (also called the Low-Income Subsidy, or LIS). In 2026, Medicare Part D Extra Help caps each covered prescription at $12.65 for brand-name drugs and $5.10 for generic drugs for full subsidy enrollees. There is no gap in coverage (the standard Part D coverage gap, or donut hole) for Extra Help enrollees. Social Security notifies Medicare automatically when Mississippi DOM approves your MSP application, so you do not need to file a separate Extra Help application.
Mississippi residents who do not qualify for MSP but still have limited income and resources can file a standalone Extra Help application directly with Social Security at ssa.gov or by calling 1-800-772-1213. The Extra Help income limit in 2026 is $23,475 for an individual and $31,725 for a couple (150% FPL), which is higher than the QI threshold, so some Mississippi residents may qualify for Extra Help even if they do not qualify for any MSP tier.
Is Mississippi a Medicaid Expansion State?
Mississippi has not expanded Medicaid under the ACA as of June 2026, making it one of the 10 remaining non-expansion states (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin, Wyoming). Without expansion, most Mississippi adults ages 19 to 64 who do not have children, disabilities, or qualify under other categories face an ACA coverage gap: their income is too high for traditional Mississippi Medicaid but too low to qualify for ACA marketplace subsidies (which begin at 100% FPL). In 2026, this gap affects adults earning roughly $16,000 to $23,000 per year in Mississippi.
The Mississippi Medicare Savings Program is not affected by the state's non-expansion status. MSP is a separate program for Medicare beneficiaries and is federally mandated regardless of whether a state has expanded Medicaid. Mississippi seniors and disabled individuals on Medicare can still access MSP benefits even though the broader Medicaid expansion has not occurred. Mississippi's non-expansion status means that once a lower-income Mississippi resident reaches Medicare eligibility at age 65, MSP becomes a critical resource that was unavailable to them as a working-age adult.
How to Apply for the Mississippi Medicare Savings Program
Mississippi residents apply for the Medicare Savings Program through the Mississippi Division of Medicaid (DOM), not through Medicare or Social Security. The fastest application method is online at Access.ms.gov, which is Mississippi's integrated benefits portal. Alternatively, call DOM at 1-800-421-2408 to request an ABD (Aged, Blind, and Disabled) paper application by mail, or visit one of Mississippi's 30 regional Medicaid offices in person. Processing takes up to 45 days, but most straightforward cases are processed faster. After approval, allow an additional 4 to 6 weeks for Social Security to adjust your Part B premium withholding.
Mississippi SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) counselors provide free, confidential help navigating Mississippi Medicare Savings Program applications. Mississippi SHIP is administered through the Mississippi Department of Human Services Division of Aging and Adult Services. Call Mississippi SHIP at 1-844-822-4622 for free one-on-one assistance, including a prescreening to determine which MSP tier you are likely to qualify for before you apply. SHIP counselors can also help you compare Medicare Advantage and Part D plans once you are enrolled in MSP.
Common Reasons Mississippi Medicare Savings Program Applications Are Denied
Mississippi DOM denials most often result from five causes. First, income above the applicable threshold after applying the $50 general income disregard. Second, missing documentation, which accounts for more delays and denials than over-income cases. If you submit a complete application, Mississippi DOM processes it faster and is less likely to deny based on a paperwork issue. Third, failure to verify Medicare Part A enrollment or eligibility. Fourth, residency verification problems, which occur most often when a person has recently moved to Mississippi or has an address discrepancy. Fifth, failing to respond within the 30-day window after DOM sends a request for additional information.
- Income over-limit: counted income exceeds QMB ($1,380), SLMB ($1,646), or QI ($1,846) threshold after disregards in 2026.
- Missing income documentation: pay stubs, Social Security award letter, pension statements, or 1099-SSA not submitted with the application.
- No Medicare Part A: applicant does not have Part A or is not yet eligible for premium-free Part A.
- Residency mismatch: address on application does not match utility bill or other residency proof.
- Failure to respond to DOM: applications are closed if the applicant does not provide requested information within 30 days of the DOM notice date.
How to Appeal a Mississippi Medicare Savings Program Denial
Mississippi residents who are denied MSP have the right to a state fair hearing through the Mississippi Division of Medicaid. The appeal must be filed within 30 days of the mailing date on the denial notice. To request a fair hearing, call DOM at 1-800-421-2408 or submit a written request to the Mississippi Division of Medicaid, P.O. Box 2222, Jackson, Mississippi 39225. Mississippi DOM's eligibility manual also notes that an ABD applicant who complies with all documentation requirements by the end of the month following denial can have the denied application reinstated using the original filing date, which preserves any retroactive eligibility dates.
Mississippi SHIP counselors at 1-844-822-4622 can help you prepare your appeal, gather supporting documentation, and understand whether the denial was based on a miscalculation of your counted income. Common successful appeals involve income miscalculations where a non-countable income source was incorrectly included, or documentation that was previously missing has now been obtained.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Mississippi Medicare Savings Program income limit for a single person in 2026?
In 2026, Mississippi QMB income limit is $1,380 per month for an individual (100% FPL plus a $50 general income disregard). SLMB is $1,646 per month and QI is $1,846 per month. These limits apply after Mississippi DOM subtracts the $50 general income disregard from your gross monthly income. Mississippi also disregards the first $65 of earned income plus half of remaining earned income if you work.
Does Mississippi have an asset test for the Medicare Savings Program?
No. Mississippi eliminated the resource (asset) test for QMB, SLMB, and QI as of January 2026. Your savings, retirement accounts, home, and car are not counted against MSP eligibility. Mississippi DOM does note that income produced by those resources, such as interest and dividends, still counts as income toward the monthly income limits.
What does QMB cover in Mississippi in 2026?
Mississippi QMB pays your Medicare Part A and Part B premiums, plus all Medicare deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments for covered services in 2026. This includes the 2026 Part B premium of $202.90 per month, the 2026 Part B deductible of $283, the 2026 Part A inpatient deductible of $1,736, and the 20% coinsurance on Part B services. Medicare providers cannot legally bill QMB enrollees for any of these cost-sharing amounts.
How do I apply for the Mississippi Medicare Savings Program?
Apply through the Mississippi Division of Medicaid (DOM), not through Medicare or Social Security. The fastest way is online at Access.ms.gov. You can also call DOM at 1-800-421-2408 to request an ABD paper application by mail, or visit a regional DOM office in person. For free help, call Mississippi SHIP at 1-844-822-4622.
Does Mississippi QMB automatically qualify me for Part D Extra Help?
Yes. Mississippi enrollment in QMB, SLMB, or QI automatically qualifies you for Medicare Part D Extra Help (Low-Income Subsidy) in 2026, capping prescription costs at $12.65 for brand drugs and $5.10 for generics, with no coverage gap. Social Security is notified by Mississippi DOM automatically and you do not need to file a separate Extra Help application.
Is Mississippi a Medicaid expansion state?
No. Mississippi has not expanded Medicaid under the ACA as of June 2026, making it one of 10 remaining non-expansion states. Most Mississippi adults ages 19 to 64 without disabilities or dependent children do not qualify for full Medicaid. However, the Mississippi Medicare Savings Program is available to Medicare beneficiaries regardless of the state's non-expansion status.
What is the income limit for Mississippi SLMB and QI in 2026?
Mississippi SLMB 2026 income limit is $1,646 per month for an individual and $2,214 per month for a couple. Mississippi QI 2026 income limit is $1,846 per month for an individual and $2,485 per month for a couple. Both programs pay the Part B premium only ($202.90 per month in 2026). There is no asset test for either program in Mississippi.
What happens if my Mississippi Medicare Savings Program application is denied?
You have 30 days from the mailing date on the denial notice to request a state fair hearing from the Mississippi Division of Medicaid. Call DOM at 1-800-421-2408 or write to DOM at P.O. Box 2222, Jackson, MS 39225. If you submit missing documentation within the month after denial, DOM may reinstate your application at the original filing date. Mississippi SHIP at 1-844-822-4622 provides free help with appeals.
