Medicare Savings Programs in Indiana: QMB, SLMB, QI, and QDWI

What Has Changed

The biggest correction in this update is how Indiana’s 2026 income numbers are explained. The current public SHIP chart shows QMB, SLMB, and QI screening amounts that are about $20 higher than the net-income standards in the Indiana Medicaid policy manual. The manual also confirms a $20 general income disregard. The older version of this article showed the lower net standards as if they were the simplest public limits.

This update also separates QDWI from the other three programs. Working-income deductions make a simple gross-income comparison unreliable for QDWI. The state manual uses a net-countable standard, while the national Medicare chart shows a much higher working-income screen. DFR makes the final calculation.

What Indiana Medicare Savings Programs Can Pay

Medicare Savings Programs, or MSPs, are Medicaid-run programs that help people with Medicare pay certain Medicare costs. You keep Medicare. Indiana decides whether you qualify and which MSP category applies. The Medicare MSP page explains the four national categories, and Indiana’s state MSP page explains how Indiana uses them.

The savings can be meaningful. In 2026, the standard Part B premium is $202.90 a month. The Part B deductible is $283. The Part A inpatient hospital deductible is $1,736 per benefit period. People who must buy Part A can pay $311 or $565 a month, depending on work history. These figures come from the 2026 CMS cost sheet.

For a national explanation of how these programs fit together, see our national MSP guide. If you want a quick educational screen before applying, use our MSP screening tool. A tool can help you prepare, but only Indiana can decide eligibility.

2026 Indiana Income and Resource Guidelines

Use the public SHIP figures below as a rough screen for QMB, SLMB, and QI. Indiana SHIP says these are guidelines, not a final eligibility decision. The policy manual uses net-countable income standards and a $20 general disregard, which is why its figures look lower.

Source note: Indiana SHIP publishes these 2026 public screening amounts. Indiana’s policy manual lists net standards effective March 1, 2026: $1,995/$2,705 for QMB, $2,261/$3,066 for SLMB, and $2,461/$3,337 for QI, then applies a $20 general income disregard.

Not everything you own counts as a resource. Indiana SHIP says your home and furnishings, one car, and burial plots are among the items that do not count toward its MSP asset guideline. Some annuitized retirement savings may also be excluded in certain circumstances. Do not sell, transfer, or spend down property just because a rough asset total looks high; ask DFR how each item is treated first.

How Indiana treats QDWI

QDWI is different because it is for certain disabled people who returned to work and lost premium-free Part A. Indiana calls the category QDW in its policy manual. Indiana SHIP’s consumer chart focuses on the three more common programs, but Indiana Medicaid’s provider MSP guidance and policy manual still list QDWI/QDW. For 2026, the manual lists a net-countable income standard of $2,660 for one person and $3,607 for two people. It also applies the same Indiana MED 4 resource standard of $9,950 for one person and $14,910 for a couple living together.

The national Medicare QDWI chart shows a much higher gross working-income screen because earned-income deductions are part of the calculation. If QDWI may fit you, ask DFR or SHIP to calculate your countable income instead of comparing your paycheck to one number.

QMB, SLMB, QI, and QDWI in Plain English

Indiana may label some people QMB-Only, QMB-Also, SLMB-Only, or SLMB-Also. “Also” means the person also has full Medicaid. “Only” means the MSP help is limited to Medicare-related costs. If you have both Medicare and full Medicaid, our dual eligible guide explains the broader picture.

QMB, SLMB, and QI also bring automatic Extra Help with Medicare drug costs. Medicare says these MSP categories qualify a person for the Part D Low-Income Subsidy. Our Extra Help guide explains what that drug-cost help can do, while the official Extra Help page lists current 2026 costs.

How to Apply Without Wasting Time

Indiana’s Division of Family Resources handles eligibility. You can use the Benefits Portal, call DFR, or visit a local office. The current DFR contact page lists 1-800-403-0864 for benefits information and gives the FSSA Document Center mailing address. The DFR office finder lists county offices, hours, and the statewide fax number 1-888-436-9199.

1. File the application. Do not wait for perfect paperwork if that will make you delay.
2. Ask for MSP by name. Request screening for QMB, SLMB, QI, and QDWI when QDWI might fit.
3. Ask about full Medicaid too. A person may fit QMB or SLMB together with full Medicaid, depending on the case.
4. Save proof. Keep the filing date, confirmation number, fax receipt, and uploaded-document list.
5. Read every notice. Missing-proof deadlines and appeal deadlines matter.

Indiana still lists a short Medicare Savings application on the DFR forms page for QMB, SLMB, and QI. If you need help completing it, the SHIP enrollment centers page can help you find a local assistance site.

What to Gather Before You Apply

You may not need every item below in every case, but having it ready can prevent extra calls. Use gross income figures when possible, not only the amount deposited after Medicare premiums or taxes are taken out.

• Medicare card and Medicaid card, if you already have one.
• Social Security, pension, annuity, or retirement-income letters.
• Recent pay stubs for you and a spouse if either person works.
• Recent checking and savings statements.
• Statements for certificates of deposit, stocks, bonds, or other investments.
• Life-insurance information if the policy has cash value.
• Burial trust or prepaid funeral papers, if applicable.
• Other health-insurance cards, including employer or retiree coverage.
• Any DFR notice asking for specific proof.

What Happens After Approval

Read the approval notice and save it. It should identify your coverage category and effective date. If you receive QMB, SLMB, or QI, you should also be treated as automatically eligible for Extra Help with Part D.

Do not assume something went wrong if your Social Security payment still shows the Part B premium for a while. Indiana’s current health-coverage rights notice says it can take at least three to four months for Social Security to stop withholding the Part B premium after MSP approval. It also says you will receive a refund for premiums Indiana owes you.

If you receive a Medicare premium bill while the change is being processed, our premium billing guide explains how to avoid accidental loss of coverage while you confirm who should pay.

If You Have QMB and Get a Medical Bill

QMB has a powerful billing protection. Federal law says Medicare providers and suppliers cannot bill QMB members for Medicare Part A or Part B deductibles, coinsurance, or copayments for Medicare-covered items and services. This protection applies to Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage providers. CMS explains the rule on its QMB billing page.

1. Check that you had QMB on the date of service.
2. Call the billing office and give your Medicare and Medicaid or QMB information again.
3. Ask the office to remove the protected Medicare cost sharing.
4. If you already paid, ask the office to review the payment and refund any protected amount.
5. If the office will not fix the bill, call 1-800-MEDICARE and contact Indiana SHIP.

Our QMB billing guide gives a deeper step-by-step plan. QMB does not make every service free; the protection applies to Medicare-covered cost sharing, and a small Medicaid copayment can apply in limited situations.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using only the lower national QMB, SLMB, and QI chart instead of Indiana’s public guidance.
• Treating Indiana’s policy-manual net standard as the same thing as a gross-income screen.
• Using the Social Security deposit after deductions instead of checking gross income.
• Assuming a full Medicaid denial means MSP is impossible.
• Ignoring work-income deductions when looking at QDWI.
• Paying a QMB cost-sharing bill without first asking for a correction.
• Missing a DFR proof deadline or the appeal deadline printed on a notice.
• Forgetting that QMB, SLMB, and QI can also bring Extra Help for drug costs.

Backup Options if MSP Is Not Enough

• Extra Help: If prescription costs are the main problem, check the Part D Low-Income Subsidy even if your MSP case is still pending.
• HoosierRx: Indiana’s HoosierRx program may pay up to $70 a month toward the Part D premium for eligible residents age 65 or older who use a participating plan.
• Full Medicaid: Ask DFR whether you qualify for another Medicaid category if you need help beyond Medicare premiums.
• Local aging services: Our Indiana aging agencies guide can help you find local benefits counseling, transportation, meals, caregiver support, and other services.

Local and Official Help in Indiana

Indiana SHIP provides free, unbiased Medicare counseling by phone, in person, or virtually. The central office number is 1-800-452-4800. The SHIP county list shows local counseling sites across Indiana.

DFR has local offices in every county. Office hours are generally 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. local time, but check the state office finder before traveling. Bring your notice, Medicare card, identification, and any document DFR specifically requested.

A Note About Estate Recovery

People sometimes avoid MSP because they fear Indiana will later take the benefit from their estate. Indiana’s Medicaid policy says Medicare premiums and Medicare cost-sharing benefits paid for a member are not recoverable. That does not mean all full Medicaid benefits are exempt from estate recovery. If you also have full Medicaid, use the Indiana estate recovery page for the separate rules that may apply.