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Last updated: 23 September 2026
California Medicare Savings Programs can help people with Medicare pay premiums and, for people in the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary program, Medicare cost-sharing. California runs these programs through Medi-Cal and county social services offices.
Bottom Line
If Medicare costs are taking too much from your monthly income, apply even if you think you may be a little over the limit. California has four Medicare Savings Programs: QMB, SLMB, QI, and QDWI. In 2026, California also has much higher MSP asset limits than the federal default: $130,000 for one person and $195,000 for two people. Start with BenefitsCal or your county Medi-Cal office and ask to be screened for every MSP that may fit.
Start Here
- Apply instead of self-denying. California says deductions can make countable income lower than the amount you receive.
- Gather Medicare, income, and asset proof. The 2026 asset test is back for MSPs.
- Keep every county notice. The Notice of Action tells you the program, effective date, and why a case was approved, denied, or stopped.
If you want a broader explanation before applying, see our national MSP guide. For California portal help, use our BenefitsCal guide.
| Program | What it can pay | DHCS monthly income amount | Main reality check |
|---|---|---|---|
| QMB | Part A premium if owed, Part B premium, and Medicare deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments for covered care. | $1,330 one person; $1,804 individual and spouse. | Providers cannot bill a QMB member for Medicare Part A or Part B cost-sharing on covered care. |
| SLMB | Part B premium. | $1,596 one person; $2,165 individual and spouse. | It does not pay Medicare deductibles or copays. |
| QI | Part B premium. | $1,796 one person; $2,436 individual and spouse. | QI is for people who are not otherwise eligible for Medicaid coverage and is renewed each year. |
| QDWI | Part A premium for certain working people with disabilities. | $2,660 one person; $3,608 individual and spouse. | QDWI has special earned-income exclusions, so a worker may still qualify above the simple DHCS figure. |
These are the figures posted on the current California MSP page. Do not use this table as a final eligibility test. The county determines countable income after applying the rules and exclusions.
What Has Changed
Asset limits are back. California had no MSP asset limit during 2024 and 2025. Effective January 1, 2026, the state restored an MSP asset test of $130,000 for one person and $195,000 for two people. DHCS received federal approval to use these higher state limits.
California updated MSP notices in August 2026. The new QMB approval wording says QMB starts the month after you apply, not the month after the county finishes the decision. It also warns that premium deductions can take up to four months to stop. That timing detail matters if you are watching a Social Security payment.
How California Medicare Savings Programs Work
Medicare Savings Programs, often called MSPs, are Medicaid eligibility groups that help people with Medicare pay certain Medicare costs. California administers them through Medi-Cal. The county social services office makes the eligibility decision.
The four programs do different jobs. QMB gives the broadest help. SLMB and QI focus on the Part B premium. QDWI is a narrow program for certain working people with disabilities who lost premium-free Part A after returning to work.
The savings can be meaningful. The standard Medicare Part B premium is $202.90 a month in 2026, and the Part B deductible is $283. Medicare Part A can cost $311 or $565 a month in 2026 for people who must buy it, depending on work-credit history. These figures come from the federal 2026 Medicare costs.
Getting QMB, SLMB, or QI also leads to automatic Medicare Part D Extra Help. That can reduce drug premiums, deductibles, and copays. Our Extra Help guide explains the drug benefit separately.
2026 Income Rules: Why Two Official Tables Look Different
California’s public MSP table lists 2026 monthly figures of $1,330 for QMB, $1,596 for SLMB, and $1,796 for QI for one person. The federal Medicare MSP page shows numbers that are $20 higher: $1,350, $1,616, and $1,816.
This is not a reason to choose one website and ignore the other. Social Security’s 2026 MSP limits explains that the federal figures include the $20 monthly Supplemental Security Income general income exclusion. California’s own page also tells people to apply when income is over its posted amount because additional deductions may be available.
Practical rule: use the California numbers as a simple starting point, not a rejection line. If you are close, submit the application. Ask the county to show you the countable-income calculation if it says you are over income.
California’s 2026 FPL letter also matters because the new poverty-level figures took effect on different dates for some people. For QMB, SLMB, and QI applicants or members without Social Security Title II retirement, survivor, or disability income, the 2026 figures apply back to January 1, 2026. For people receiving that Title II income, the letter says the new figures are effective March 1, 2026.
2026 Asset Rules in California
This is one of the biggest changes for California seniors. From January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2025, California did not use an asset test for MSPs. The state’s 2026 asset-limit letter says the test returned on January 1, 2026.
The current MSP limits are $130,000 for one person and $195,000 for two people. The amount increases by $65,000 for each additional household member, up to 10 people. Not every person living in the home necessarily counts in the MSP household.
| Usually not counted | May count | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Main home where you live | Second home or rental property | Report what the county asks for and let it classify the property. |
| Main vehicle | Second vehicle | Do not sell a vehicle just because you assume it is countable. |
| Household goods | Cash and bank accounts | Keep recent statements available. |
| Some retirement funds when regular payments are being received | Other financial resources | Ask how the county treats the specific account. |
DHCS gives these examples in its 2026 asset FAQ.
Do not use the future 2027 limit for a 2026 application. DHCS says the $130,000 one-person limit continues through June 30, 2027. Lower limits are scheduled for July 1, 2027. This guide uses the rules in effect in September 2026.
QMB: Premium Help and Strong Billing Protection
What it helps with: Qualified Medicare Beneficiary, or QMB, can pay the Part A premium if you owe one, the Part B premium, and Medicare deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments for Medicare-covered items and services.
Who may qualify: California uses the QMB income and asset rules discussed above. Part A status can be more complicated in California because the state now has a Part A Buy-In process. Do not assume you are barred from QMB just because you do not currently have premium-free Part A.
Where to apply: Apply through the county Medi-Cal system. If you are unsure whether you have full Medi-Cal, QMB only, or both, our dual eligible guide explains the basic difference.
Reality check: QMB does not make non-covered care free. Its federal protection applies to Medicare Part A and Part B cost-sharing for Medicare-covered items and services. CMS says Medicare providers and suppliers cannot bill QMB members for that cost-sharing, including people in Medicare Advantage. See the federal QMB billing protections.
Phone script: wrong QMB bill
“I am enrolled in QMB. I should not be billed for Medicare Part A or Part B deductibles, coinsurance, or copayments on Medicare-covered care. Please check my QMB status, remove the patient balance, and stop any collection activity.”
If a provider keeps billing you, use our QMB billing guide for a step-by-step response.
SLMB and QI: Help With the Part B Premium
SLMB: Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary pays the Part B premium. It does not pay ordinary Medicare deductibles or copays. A person may have SLMB and full Medi-Cal at the same time if the eligibility rules fit.
QI: Qualifying Individual also pays the Part B premium. Federal rules say QI is for people who are not otherwise eligible for Medicaid coverage. QI funding is limited by annual state allotments, and people must renew.
Retroactive months: California’s MC 14A application lets applicants request up to three months of retroactive SLMB or QI coverage when they met the rules in those months. The form states that QMB does not use this same retroactive rule.
Reality check: If Part B premiums are still coming out of Social Security after approval, do not assume the case failed. California’s August 2026 notice language says the deduction change can take up to four months.
QDWI and California Part A Buy-In
QDWI: Qualified Disabled and Working Individual is for certain people under 65 who continue to have a disability, returned to work, and lost premium-free Part A because of work. It pays the Part A premium only and generally is not available to someone otherwise eligible for Medicaid.
QDWI income is easy to misunderstand. California’s public table lists $2,660 for one person and $3,608 for an individual and spouse. The federal screening figure is much higher because it incorporates earned-income exclusions. If you are working and your gross earnings are above the simple California figure, ask the county to apply the QDWI counting rules instead of assuming you are ineligible.
Part A Buy-In: California became a Medicare Part A Buy-In state on January 1, 2025. DHCS says eligible full-scope Medi-Cal members who have Part B and qualify for QMB can be enrolled into Part A by the state, with California paying the Part A premium. The Part A Buy-In FAQ explains that non-SSI Medi-Cal members generally need to enroll in Part B before the county evaluates QMB.
If you have Part B but not Part A, ask the county specifically about QMB and the Buy-In program page. Do not start paying a Part A premium before asking whether California can enroll you through Buy-In.
How to Apply Without Wasting Time
You can apply online through BenefitsCal, by phone with your county, by mail, or in person. The official California MSP page also says that a person who wants only an MSP may use MC 14A and mail it to the county MSP contact.
- Write down your Medicare number and the parts of Medicare you have.
- Gather current Social Security, pension, wage, and other income information.
- Gather bank and other asset records because California restored the MSP asset test in 2026.
- Use the county office finder if you need a phone number, mailing address, or in-person office.
- Ask to be screened for QMB, SLMB, QI, QDWI, and full Medi-Cal when appropriate.
- Keep the application confirmation, copies of documents, and every Notice of Action.
Phone script: county application
“I have Medicare and need help paying Medicare premiums. Please screen me for every Medicare Savings Program I may qualify for. Tell me what income and asset proof you need and whether I should use the full Medi-Cal application or MC 14A.”
Our MSP checker can help you prepare questions, but the county makes the official eligibility decision.
Documents and Information to Gather
- Medicare card or Medicare number.
- Social Security benefit amount or award letter.
- Pension, retirement, disability, veteran, or wage records.
- Recent bank statements and other asset records the county requests.
- Information about a spouse if you are married and living together.
- California address and contact information.
- Any county Notice of Action.
- Medicare bills, provider bills, premium bills, and collection notices if there is a payment problem.
You do not need to delay asking for help until every paper is perfect. Submit the application and respond quickly when the county asks for more proof.
What Happens After Approval
The county sends a Notice of Action with the program and effective date. DHCS says a Medi-Cal application can take up to 45 days, or up to 90 days when a disability determination is needed. See the state’s Medi-Cal application guidance.
For QMB, the newest California notice wording says eligibility starts the month after you apply. The same August 2026 notice update says premium deductions may take up to four months to stop. You may be paid back for premiums you paid during months you qualified.
Keep checking your Social Security payment and Medicare premium notices. If you receive a direct Medicare premium bill while the systems are catching up, do not ignore it. Our premium billing guide explains how to protect coverage while a payment problem is being fixed.
Reality Checks
- The posted income amount is not always your final countable income. Deductions and exclusions can change the result.
- Asset rules returned in 2026. A person who qualified in 2025 may face an asset review at renewal in 2026.
- Premium deductions may continue temporarily. California warns that the systems can take up to four months to catch up after approval.
- QMB billing protection is powerful but limited to Medicare-covered Part A and Part B cost-sharing. It does not turn a non-covered service into a covered one.
- QDWI is not a typical senior program. It is mainly for working people under 65 with disabilities who lost premium-free Part A because of work.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using the federal asset limit instead of California’s much higher 2026 state limit.
- Stopping because gross income is a little above the DHCS table.
- Using the 2024 or 2025 “no asset test” rule for a 2026 application or renewal.
- Paying a QMB cost-sharing bill without challenging it.
- Ignoring a Notice of Action or missing the hearing deadline.
- Assuming Part B deductions will stop immediately after approval.
- Applying for only one MSP when another level may fit.
Denied, Delayed, or Overwhelmed
First, read the Notice of Action. Ask the county which income, deductions, assets, household size, and Medicare status it used. A clear budget explanation can reveal a simple error.
| Problem | First step | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Over income | Ask for the countable-income budget | “Which exclusions and deductions did you apply?” |
| Over assets | Ask what property counted | “Which assets did you count and which were exempt?” |
| Wrong QMB bill | Contact the provider billing office | “Please remove Medicare cost-sharing and stop collections.” |
| No decision | Call the county | “What proof is missing and when was my application received?” |
| Denial or discontinuance | Request review and consider a hearing | “What is my deadline to challenge this action?” |
California generally gives you 90 days to request a State Hearing after a county or DHCS action. The official State Hearing request page lets you request one online or call 1-800-743-8525.
Phone script: denial
“I received a Notice of Action about my Medicare Savings Program and I disagree with the decision. Please tell me the income, assets, household size, and Medicare status used. I also want to know my deadline for a State Hearing.”
Phone script: counseling help
“I have Medicare and a California MSP notice I do not understand. Can a counselor review the notice with me and help me decide what to ask the county?”
California’s Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program offers free Medicare counseling. Call 1-800-434-0222 or use HICAP counseling. Our SHIP and SMP guide also explains what Medicare counselors can and cannot do.
Backup Options if MSP Is Not Enough
If you do not qualify for an MSP, ask whether you qualify for full Medi-Cal or another Medi-Cal eligibility group. If prescription costs are the main problem, check Medicare Part D Extra Help separately; Medicare’s Extra Help costs page lists the current 2026 copay rules.
If the bigger problem is food, rent, home care, utilities, or other daily expenses, use our California benefits guide to move beyond Medicare costs. For local aging services and benefits navigation, see our California AAA guide.
California Contacts and Official Resources
- County Medi-Cal office: Apply, submit proof, ask for a budget explanation, or report a change.
- Medi-Cal Helpline: 1-800-541-5555 for general Medi-Cal questions.
- HICAP: 1-800-434-0222 for free Medicare counseling.
- State Hearings Division: 1-800-743-8525 to request a hearing by phone.
- 1-800-MEDICARE: 1-800-633-4227 for Medicare questions and persistent QMB billing problems.
For general Medi-Cal contact information, DHCS confirms the 1-800-541-5555 helpline on its Medi-Cal contact page.
Resumen en Español
California administra los Programas de Ahorro de Medicare por medio de Medi-Cal. Los cuatro programas son QMB, SLMB, QI y QDWI. QMB ofrece la ayuda más amplia porque puede pagar primas y los costos compartidos de Medicare para servicios cubiertos.
En 2026, California volvió a usar un límite de bienes para estos programas: $130,000 para una persona y $195,000 para dos personas. No se rechace usted mismo por tener ingresos un poco por encima de la tabla. El condado puede aplicar deducciones y exclusiones antes de decidir.
Empiece en BenefitsCal o con la oficina de Medi-Cal de su condado. Guarde todos los avisos. Si tiene QMB y recibe una factura por deducibles, coseguro o copagos de Medicare, llame a la oficina de facturación. Si no entiende una negación, HICAP puede ayudarle gratis al 1-800-434-0222. En general, hay 90 días para pedir una audiencia estatal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I qualify if my income is above the California table?
Possibly. California says the posted 2026 amounts are screening figures and that additional deductions may apply. Medicare.gov and Social Security also use income exclusions in MSP screening. Apply and let the county calculate countable income instead of stopping because your gross income is a little higher.
What is the 2026 California QMB income amount?
DHCS lists $1,330 a month for one person and $1,804 for an individual and spouse. The federal Medicare screening table is $20 higher because it includes the general SSI income exclusion. California counties make the final countable-income decision.
Does California have an MSP asset limit in 2026?
Yes. Effective January 1, 2026, California’s MSP asset limit is $130,000 for one person and $195,000 for two people, with $65,000 added for each additional household member up to 10. Some property does not count.
When does QMB start in California?
California’s August 2026 notice language says QMB eligibility starts the month after you apply. The notice also says it may take up to four months for Medicare premiums to stop being deducted from a Social Security payment.
Can SLMB or QI cover earlier months?
California’s MC 14A application allows a person to ask for up to three months of retroactive SLMB or QI coverage when the rules are met. QMB does not use the same retroactive rule.
Can a provider bill me if I have QMB?
Not for Medicare Part A or Part B deductibles, coinsurance, or copayments on Medicare-covered items and services. The federal QMB billing protection also applies to Medicare Advantage providers. If a bill continues, call the provider and then 1-800-MEDICARE.
Where should I apply for an MSP in California?
Start with BenefitsCal or your county Medi-Cal office. If you only want QMB, SLMB, or QI, you can also use the MC 14A application and send it to your county’s Medicare Savings Program contact.
What if the county denies or stops my MSP?
Read the Notice of Action and check the income, assets, household size, and Medicare status the county used. If you disagree, you generally have 90 days to request a California State Hearing. HICAP can also help you understand the notice.
About This Guide
Sources: This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources linked in the article.
Editorial note
This guide is produced under the GFS Editorial Standards using official and other high-trust sources. GFS is not affiliated with a government agency and is not a substitute for official agency guidance. Individual eligibility outcomes cannot be guaranteed.
Corrections
Despite careful verification, errors may occur. Readers may email info@grantsforseniors.org with corrections.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal, financial, medical, tax, disability-rights, immigration, or government-agency advice. Program rules, policies, funding, and availability can change. Readers should confirm current details directly with the responsible official program before acting.
Last updated: 23 September 2026 · Next review: 23 January 2027
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