Medicare Savings Programs in California
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If you or someone you know is having trouble paying Medicare costs, there are ways to save money on Medicare premiums and other costs, like deductibles and copayments.
The state of California has made it easier for Californians to apply for help paying Medicare costs.
- Starting January 1, 2024, the asset test to qualify for a Medicare Savings Program was eliminated. This means individuals can have any amount of assets and still qualify for a Medicare Savings Program. Assets are things that you own, such as bank accounts, cash, second homes and vehicles. Individuals still have to meet income requirements for these programs. More information about the asset limit changes can be found here.
- Starting January 1, 2025, California will become a Medicare Part A Buy-In State. As a result, eligible full-scope Medi-Cal members who are enrolled in Medicare Part B and qualify for one of the MSP programs called the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program will be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A Buy-In by the state. The state willl cover Medicare Part A premiums for these Medi-Cal members. See the attached flyers for more information or if you qualify under this change.
- You can also visit the DHCS Medicare Premium Payment webpage to learn more.
Californians with an
annual income of less than $21,597 for an individual or $29,187 for a couple are eligible for a Medicare Savings Program. These programs provide help from the State of California to pay for your Medicare premiums, and sometimes your deductibles and copayments.
Think you may be eligible?
The application process for Medicare Savings Programs is the same as Medi-Cal. If you are eligible, you can tell your county eligibility office which program you would like to enroll in. Apply for a Medicare Savings Program, and Medi-Cal, in one of the following ways:
- Online at BenefitsCal.org.
- By mail. You can download a Medi-Cal application (also includes Medicare Savings Programs) in many languages here.
- By phone. To apply by phone, call your local county social service office. You can find the phone number to your local county office here.
- In Person. You can apply for Medicare Savings Programs or Medi-Cal coverage in person at your local county social service office. You can find your local county office here, or by calling the Medi-Cal Helpline at (800) 541-5555.
If you only want to apply for a Medicare Savings Program, you may fill out the application (MC 14A) and mail it to the Medicare Savings Program contact at your local county office. You may also apply by phone with your local county social service office.
For more general information about Medicare Savings Programs, visit
Medicare.gov.
Medicare Savings Programs and What Each Provides
Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (Must Be Entitled to Medicare Part A)
| Monthly - $1,305
Annually - $15,650
| Monthly - $1,763 Annually - $21,150
| Payment of Medicare Part A and Part B Premium, Deductibles and Copayments
|
Specified Low-Income Beneficiary (Must Have Medicare Part A)
| Monthly - $1,566
Annually - $18,780
| Monthly - $2,116
Annually - $25,380
| Payment of Medicare Part B Premium
|
Qualifying Individual (Must Have Medicare Part A and cannot also receive Medi-Cal)
| Monthly - $1,762
Annually - $21,128
| Monthly - $2,381 Annually - $28,553
| Payment of Medicare Part B Premium
|
Qualified Disabled and Working Individual (Lost Medicare Part A Because You Returned to Work and cannot also receive Medi-Cal)
| Monthly - $2,610
Annually - $31,300
| Monthly - $3,526
Annually - $42,300
| Payment of Medicare Part A premiums
|
*Income limits above include amounts that will not be counted when deducted in the eligibility determination. If you have income that is over the amounts listed above, you can still apply because there may be more deductions that may be applied.
