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Last updated: 22 September 2026
If you have Medicare and a limited income in New Hampshire, a Medicare Savings Program may pay your Medicare premium. The strongest level, Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB), can also protect you from Medicare deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments for Medicare-covered care.
Bottom Line
Apply through New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), not through your Medicare Advantage or drug plan. The fastest online route is NH EASY. If you want help before applying, call the New Hampshire Aging and Disability Resource Center/State Health Insurance Assistance Program, formerly known as ServiceLink, at 1-866-634-9412.
Do not reject yourself because your gross income looks a little above a limit. New Hampshire uses countable income rules and allowed deductions. Ask DHHS to screen you for every Medicare Savings Program level that may fit.
If You Have a Bill or Denial Notice
- Wrong QMB bill: If you have QMB and a provider is charging Medicare deductibles, coinsurance, or copayments for Medicare-covered care, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048. New Hampshire also publishes a QMB billing tip sheet.
- Denial or closure: Read the deadline on the notice immediately. New Hampshire’s general appeal request form says most non-SNAP appeals must reach DHHS within 30 days unless the notice says otherwise.
- Need help reading the notice: Call the Aging and Disability Resource Center/SHIP line at 1-866-634-9412 before the deadline passes.
Start Here
- Apply or check your case. Use NH EASY to apply online. Call the DHHS Customer Service Center at 1-844-275-3447 if you need application help or want to check your case. The official Form 800MA also includes added questions for Medicare Savings Programs.
- Ask for all levels. Say, “Please screen me for QMB, SLMB, SLMB135/QI, and QDWI if they apply.”
- Get free counseling. If the rules or paperwork are confusing, call New Hampshire’s Aging and Disability Resource Centers at 1-866-634-9412.
If you want step-by-step help using the state portal first, see our NH benefits portal guide.
| Program | What it can pay | Main fit | Important limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| QMB | Part A premium if owed, Part B premium, and Medicare cost sharing for Medicare-covered care | Lowest countable-income MSP group | Does not make Medicare pay for care Medicare does not cover |
| SLMB | Part B premium | Income above QMB but within the SLMB range | Does not give QMB cost-sharing protection |
| SLMB135 / QI | Part B premium | Income above SLMB but within the QI range | QI must be renewed yearly and is not available with other Medicaid coverage |
| QDWI | Part A premium | Certain disabled workers who lost premium-free Part A after returning to work | Narrow program with separate income and resource rules |
New Hampshire materials use SLMB135 for the group known federally as Qualifying Individual (QI). The state’s rules also recognize QMB, SLMB, QI, and QDWI as the four MSP groups. For a national explanation, see our Medicare Savings Program guide.
What Has Changed
- 2026 screening figures are corrected. The public New Hampshire income chart still indexed online is dated October 2024. This update uses Medicare’s official 2026 dollar limits instead of presenting that older state chart as a 2026 table.
- The QDWI screening amount is much higher than the old article showed. Medicare’s 2026 federal screening limit is $5,405 a month for one person and $7,299 for a married couple, before the state makes the final determination.
- The value of Part B help is updated. The standard Medicare Part B premium is 2026 Part B premium is $202.90 a month. QMB, SLMB, and QI can pay the Part B premium for people who qualify.
- The paper application path is clearer. New Hampshire’s current Form 800MA tells applicants to complete its added program questions when applying for a Medicare Savings Program.
How New Hampshire Names the Programs
Medicare Savings Programs are Medicaid-administered programs for people with Medicare who have limited income and resources. New Hampshire DHHS makes the eligibility decision. Your Medicare Advantage plan, Medigap insurer, or Part D plan does not decide MSP eligibility.
New Hampshire’s public program materials use QMB, SLMB, and SLMB135. The state’s current medical-assistance rules define the four federal MSP groups as QMB, SLMB, QI, and QDWI. In practical terms, SLMB135 is New Hampshire’s label for the QI-level group. The state fact sheet describes SLMB as the group from 100% to 120% of the federal poverty guideline and SLMB135 as the group from 120% to 135%.
You can review the state’s BFA program fact sheet and the official medical assistance rules. Because the public fact sheet’s dollar examples are older, use it for the program structure and deductions, not for 2026 dollar limits.
2026 Income and Resource Limits
The numbers below are the official 2026 federal MSP screening figures published by Medicare. New Hampshire can apply its own countable-income rules and deductions when it decides a case. Medicare itself tells people to apply even if their income or resources appear above the federal figures.
| Program | Individual monthly income | Married couple monthly income | Resource limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| QMB | $1,350 | $1,824 | $9,950 individual; $14,910 couple |
| SLMB | $1,616 | $2,184 | $9,950 individual; $14,910 couple |
| SLMB135 / QI | $1,816 | $2,455 | $9,950 individual; $14,910 couple |
| QDWI | $5,405 | $7,299 | $4,000 individual; $6,000 couple |
Source: Medicare’s 2026 MSP limits. These are screening figures, not a do-it-yourself eligibility decision.
Helpful tip: If your income is close to a limit, apply anyway. A gross Social Security amount, pension check, or pay stub may not equal the countable income DHHS uses.
How Countable Income and Resources Work
New Hampshire defines net income as gross income minus allowed disregards and deductions. The exact calculation can depend on the type of income and household situation. This is one reason a worker or retiree should not decide eligibility from gross income alone.
Resources are different from monthly income. Bank balances, investments, and some cash-value life insurance may count. A home you live in, one car, and household goods are commonly excluded under MSP resource rules. The exact treatment of a retirement account, extra vehicle, non-home real estate, trust, or life-insurance policy can be more complicated.
If your resources are near the limit, do not move money or give property away just to try to qualify. Ask DHHS how the asset is treated first. If disability-related benefits or long-term care are also part of your situation, our New Hampshire disability guide can help you identify the right additional doorway.
What Help Looks Like After Approval
QMB: QMB can pay the Part A premium if you owe one, the Part B premium, and Medicare deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments for Medicare-covered services and items. Medicare providers may not bill a QMB beneficiary for that Medicare cost sharing. A small Medicaid copayment may apply in limited situations.
SLMB and SLMB135/QI: These levels pay the Part B premium. Medicare says SLMB and QI applicants must have both Part A and Part B. QI is for people who do not qualify for another Medicaid coverage group. In 2026, the standard Part B premium is $202.90 a month. If that amount is being deducted from your Social Security payment, the deduction should stop after the state buy-in and federal records update. The exact timing can vary.
QDWI: QDWI pays the Part A premium for a narrow group of disabled workers who lost premium-free Part A because they returned to work and who are not otherwise eligible for Medicaid.
People who qualify for QMB, SLMB, or QI also get Extra Help with Medicare Part D drug costs. Our Extra Help guide explains the prescription-drug side separately.
Reality check: Approval does not always change a Social Security deposit immediately. Keep your approval notice. If the Part B deduction continues longer than expected, call DHHS and ask whether the Medicare buy-in was sent and what effective date is on your case.
How to Apply Without Wasting Time
- Use NH EASY first if you can. It lets you apply and manage benefits online. If you prefer paper, New Hampshire’s apply for assistance page explains the available routes.
- On paper, use the right form. Form 800MA states that Medicare Savings Programs are among the additional programs covered by its added questions. Complete the MSP-related insert/questions and return the required pages.
- Ask for all MSP levels. Do not ask only for QMB if you may fit SLMB or SLMB135/QI instead.
- Send proof you already have. Missing verification can delay or stop a decision. Keep copies of everything.
- Track the case. Save upload confirmations, mail receipts, fax reports, and the name and date of every important call.
If online filing is difficult, call the official DHHS Customer Service Center at 1-844-275-3447. The state also maintains a DHHS office finder for in-person help.
What to Gather Before You Apply
- Medicare card and any Medicaid card you already have.
- Recent Social Security benefit notice or payment statement.
- Pension, annuity, retirement, or other income proof.
- Recent pay stubs if you or your spouse still works.
- Checking and savings account statements.
- Statements for stocks, bonds, or other investments.
- Life-insurance information if the policy has cash value.
- Proof of New Hampshire address if DHHS asks for it.
- Spouse income and resource information when applicable.
- Any denial, closure, premium, provider-bill, or collection notice related to the problem you are trying to fix.
Do not delay an application only because one document is missing. The paper form tells applicants to sign and submit even if they do not yet have every item, then respond quickly when DHHS asks for more.
QMB Billing Protection: What to Do if You Get a Bill
QMB billing protection is federal. Medicare’s 2026 handbook states that providers are not allowed to bill QMB beneficiaries for Medicare deductibles, coinsurance, or copayments for Medicare-covered services and items. This protection is not limited to providers that participate in Medicaid.
- Tell the billing office that you are enrolled in QMB.
- Show your Medicare card and Medicaid or QMB card.
- Ask the office to remove the Medicare cost-sharing charge.
- If you already paid, ask for a refund.
- If billing continues, call 1-800-MEDICARE.
For a fuller walkthrough, use our QMB billing protection guide. If a debt collector is involved and the provider will not correct the account, the federal CFPB complaint process is another route.
Denied, Delayed, or Overwhelmed
A denial can be caused by income, resources, Medicare status, missing proof, or an incomplete application. Ask DHHS for the exact reason and the exact figure or document used.
- Check every MSP level. Ask whether QMB, SLMB, SLMB135/QI, and QDWI were considered when relevant.
- Correct missing proof quickly. If the issue is a bank statement, insurance value, or income document, ask whether submitting it can reopen or correct the decision.
- Protect your appeal deadline. Use the state’s Administrative Appeals information and follow the deadline printed on your notice.
- Ask for free legal help. New Hampshire appeal materials point people who cannot afford counsel to 603 Legal Aid. Call 1-800-639-5290.
If the premium problem is part of a bigger crisis involving food, heat, housing, or utilities, our New Hampshire emergency guide can help you find faster safety-net routes while the MSP case is pending.
Backup Options if MSP Is Not Enough
Medicare Savings Programs can lower Medicare costs, but they do not pay every health or household expense.
- Prescription costs: Ask about Extra Help if you do not already receive it automatically. Medicare’s Extra Help page explains the 2026 program.
- Broader Medicaid help: Ask DHHS whether another medical-assistance category may fit your age, disability, or care needs.
- Food, housing, utilities, or taxes: Use our New Hampshire senior assistance guide to find other state and local starting points.
- Local aging support: Our New Hampshire aging guide explains the state’s ADRC network and related services.
New Hampshire Help Contacts
| Need | Best contact | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Apply or check status | DHHS, 1-844-275-3447 | “What MSP level is being reviewed, and what proof is missing?” |
| Free Medicare counseling | ADRC / SHIP, 1-866-634-9412 | “Can you help me review my income, resources, and notice?” |
| Wrong QMB bill | 1-800-MEDICARE | “Please confirm my QMB status and help stop improper billing.” |
| Appeal a decision | Administrative Appeals Unit, 603-271-4292 | “What deadline applies to this notice, and how do I file?” |
New Hampshire’s ADRC network, formerly known as ServiceLink, includes the State Health Insurance Assistance Program. The program offers free, unbiased Medicare counseling. If you want the national SHIP directory entry, use the New Hampshire SHIP page.
Phone Scripts You Can Use
DHHS application script
“I have Medicare and need help paying Medicare premiums. Please screen me for QMB, SLMB, SLMB135 or QI, and QDWI if it applies. What proof do you still need from me?”
ADRC / SHIP script
“I am applying for a Medicare Savings Program and want to make sure I am using the right income and resource rules. Can you help me review my papers and DHHS notice?”
QMB billing script
“I am enrolled in QMB. I should not be billed for Medicare deductibles, coinsurance, or copayments for Medicare-covered care. Please correct the account and tell me when the charge will be removed.”
Denial script
“I received a denial. Please tell me the exact reason, the income or resource amount used, whether every MSP level was checked, and the deadline to appeal.”
Reality Checks Before You Apply
- The online state chart may be old. Do not use an older New Hampshire PDF dollar table to decide a 2026 case. Use current Medicare limits and let DHHS apply New Hampshire’s countable-income rules.
- QI has annual rules. Medicare says QI must be renewed each year and states give priority to people who had QI the year before.
- QMB protection is strong but specific. It stops Medicare cost-sharing bills for Medicare-covered services. It does not create coverage for a service Medicare excludes.
- Premium changes can lag. Approval and the Social Security deduction may not update on the same day.
- Married cases need full information. A spouse’s income and resources can matter even when only one spouse has Medicare.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using your gross check alone to decide you are over income.
- Applying for only QMB instead of asking for every MSP level.
- Using the old 2024 New Hampshire income chart as a 2026 eligibility table.
- Leaving out bank, insurance, or spouse information that DHHS requests.
- Calling a Medicare Advantage plan instead of DHHS about MSP eligibility.
- Paying an improper QMB cost-sharing bill without checking the protection first.
- Waiting until the last day to challenge a denial.
Resumen en Español
Si vive en New Hampshire, tiene Medicare y sus ingresos y recursos son limitados, un Medicare Savings Program puede ayudarle a pagar la prima de Medicare. QMB también puede protegerle de deducibles, coseguro y copagos de Medicare por servicios cubiertos.
Para solicitar ayuda, use NH EASY o llame a DHHS al 1-844-275-3447. Pida que revisen QMB, SLMB, SLMB135/QI y QDWI si corresponde. No se descarte solo porque su ingreso bruto parece un poco alto; DHHS usa reglas de ingreso contable.
Para ayuda gratuita con Medicare, llame a ADRC/SHIP al 1-866-634-9412. Si ya tiene QMB y recibe una factura por deducibles, copagos o coseguro de Medicare, llame a 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 2026 QMB limits in New Hampshire?
Medicare’s 2026 federal screening limit for QMB is $1,350 a month for one person and $1,824 for a married couple, with resource limits of $9,950 and $14,910. New Hampshire applies countable-income rules, so apply even if gross income is somewhat higher.
What does SLMB135 mean?
SLMB135 is the New Hampshire label used for the income group known federally as Qualifying Individual, or QI. It helps pay the Medicare Part B premium for people who meet the program rules.
Can I apply if my income is slightly over?
Yes. Medicare says to apply even if you think you are above the federal limits, and New Hampshire subtracts allowed disregards and deductions when calculating countable income.
Does QMB stop every medical bill?
No. QMB protects you from Medicare deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments for Medicare-covered services and items. It does not make Medicare cover services that Medicare excludes.
Where do I apply in New Hampshire?
Apply through New Hampshire DHHS. You can use NH EASY, use the paper Form 800MA with its additional MSP questions, or apply through a DHHS office. Call 1-844-275-3447 for application help or case questions.
Where can I get free help?
Call New Hampshire’s Aging and Disability Resource Center/SHIP program at 1-866-634-9412 for free Medicare counseling and help understanding MSP paperwork, notices, and billing problems.
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: 22 September 2026 · Next review: 22 January 2027
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