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Last updated: 19 September 2026
South Carolina Medicare Savings Programs can help people with Medicare and limited income pay premiums and, in the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary program, many Medicare-covered deductibles and copays. South Carolina handles these programs through Healthy Connections Medicaid.
Bottom Line
If the Medicare Part B premium is taking too much from your Social Security check, apply through South Carolina Healthy Connections and ask to be screened for a Medicare Savings Program (MSP). In 2026, the standard Part B premium is $202.90 a month. Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB), Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB), and Qualifying Individual (QI) can all help with that premium. QMB can also protect you from Medicare-covered Part A and Part B cost-sharing.
Use South Carolina’s own income table, not only the higher generic figures on Medicare.gov. The state’s current QMB, SLMB, and QI thresholds took effect March 1, 2026. If you are close to a limit, apply anyway because the agency decides what income and resources count.
Start Here
- Apply through Healthy Connections. The state says its online application is the easiest route.
- Ask for MSP screening. Say you have Medicare and want to be checked for QMB, SLMB, QI, and any other Medicaid category that may fit.
- Get free help if needed. Healthy Connections is 1-888-549-0820. South Carolina SHIP provides free Medicare counseling at 1-800-868-9095.
If you want a simple starting screen before calling, use the GFS Medicare savings checker. It cannot decide eligibility; South Carolina makes the final decision.
Quick Help
| Your problem | Best first step | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Part B costs too much | Apply through Healthy Connections | “Please screen me for QMB, SLMB, and QI.” |
| You have QMB but got a bill | Call the billing office | “Please remove Medicare-covered cost-sharing.” |
| The application is confusing | Call SC Thrive or SHIP | Ask what documents are missing before you submit. |
| You were denied or cut off | Read the notice immediately | Ask about the appeal deadline and continued benefits. |
If a Bill or Deadline Is Urgent
- QMB billing: federal law says Medicare providers and suppliers cannot bill a QMB member for Medicare Part A or Part B deductibles, coinsurance, or copayments for Medicare-covered items and services. If you already paid such a bill, Medicare says you have the right to a refund.
- Appeal: South Carolina says some Medicaid notices allow 30 days from the notice date and others allow 30 days from receipt. Follow the deadline printed on your own notice.
- Keeping current benefits: if benefits are being reduced or ended, the state says you may request continued benefits within 10 days of the notice date. You may have to repay disputed benefits if the appeal is not decided in your favor.
What Has Changed
This September update rechecked South Carolina’s current MSP rules after the article’s May review. SCDHHS still lists the QMB, SLMB, and QI income limits that became effective March 1, 2026, and no later 2026 threshold change was found on the state eligibility page.
The guide now explains the state-versus-federal income-chart difference and rechecks application, contact, appeal, and continued-benefit rules. It also clarifies that Healthy Connections Prime ended January 1, 2026; MSP eligibility did not end with that plan.
What Medicare Savings Programs Pay
Medicare Savings Programs are Medicaid-administered programs that help people with Medicare and limited income pay Medicare costs. South Carolina calls its Medicaid program Healthy Connections. This is not a separate senior grant, and GFS does not process applications.
Medicare describes four MSP categories. South Carolina publicly posts state income and resource rules for QMB, SLMB, and QI. QDWI is a much narrower program for certain working people with disabilities who lost premium-free Medicare Part A after returning to work.
- QMB: Part A premium if owed, Part B premium, and Medicare-covered deductibles, coinsurance, and copays.
- SLMB: Part B premium only.
- QI: Part B premium only; yearly renewal is required.
- QDWI: Part A premium only for a narrow working-disabled group.
For a national explanation of how the four programs work, see the GFS Medicare Savings guide. South Carolina’s rules control your South Carolina application.
South Carolina 2026 Income and Resource Limits
The SCDHHS eligibility page lists these current QMB, SLMB, and QI figures. The income figures are effective March 1, 2026. SCDHHS lists QMB resources as effective January 1, 2026 and currently shows the same resource amounts for SLMB and QI.
| Program | One person income | Couple income | One person resources | Couple resources |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| QMB | $1,330/month | $1,804/month | $9,950 | $14,910 |
| SLMB | $1,596/month | $2,164/month | $9,950 | $14,910 |
| QI | $1,796/month | $2,435/month | $9,950 | $14,910 |
| QDWI | $5,405 federal 2026 guideline | $7,299 federal 2026 guideline | $4,000 federal guideline | $6,000 federal guideline |
Do not self-deny from this table. Medicare.gov shows somewhat higher national 2026 QMB, SLMB, and QI income examples than South Carolina’s state page. Medicare also says states may count income and resources differently. If you are close to the line, apply and let Healthy Connections calculate your countable amount.
Medicare’s standard resource guidance says countable resources can include bank accounts, stocks, and bonds. It says not to count your home, one car, household items, burial plot, and certain money set aside for burial. South Carolina makes the final resource decision for your case, so report what the application asks for instead of guessing.
Which Program Fits Your Situation?
Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB)
What it helps with: QMB is the strongest MSP. It can pay Medicare premiums and Medicare-covered Part A and Part B deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments.
Who may qualify: South Carolina says a QMB applicant must be entitled to Medicare Part A and be age 65 or older, blind, or disabled, with countable income and resources within the program rules.
Where to apply: use Healthy Connections. There is no separate senior-only QMB application portal.
Reality check: billing errors still happen. Keep your approval notice and QMB proof. The GFS QMB billing guide explains what to do if a provider or collector asks you to pay protected cost-sharing.
Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB)
What it helps with: SLMB pays the Medicare Part B premium only.
Who may qualify: South Carolina says you must be entitled to Medicare Part A, meet the resource rule, and not otherwise qualify for full Medicaid benefits under this category.
Where to apply: use Healthy Connections and ask for MSP screening.
Reality check: SCDHHS says SLMB-only members do not receive a Medicaid card because the program pays only the Part B premium. Save the approval letter.
Qualifying Individual (QI)
What it helps with: QI also pays the Part B premium.
Who may qualify: QI is for people with Medicare Part A whose countable income is above the SLMB level but within the QI range and who do not qualify for other Medicaid coverage or benefits.
Where to apply: use Healthy Connections.
Reality check: Medicare’s QI rules require yearly renewal. States approve QI on a first-come, first-served basis and give priority to people who had QI the prior year.
Qualified Disabled and Working Individual (QDWI)
What it helps with: QDWI can pay the Medicare Part A premium. CMS says the 2026 Part A premium is $311 or $565 a month, depending on work history.
Who may qualify: Medicare describes QDWI as a program for certain people with disabilities who are working and lost premium-free Part A because they returned to work. Medicare’s 2026 federal guideline is $5,405 monthly income and $4,000 resources for one person, or $7,299 and $6,000 for a married couple.
Where to apply: call Healthy Connections at 1-888-549-0820 and ask for QDWI screening.
Reality check: South Carolina’s public consumer income page does not present QDWI in the same table as QMB, SLMB, and QI. Ask the state to calculate the rule for your case before relying on the federal example.
How to Apply Without Wasting Time
SCDHHS says the online application is easiest. You can also use a paper application, apply at a local eligibility office, or get application help from SC Thrive. The Healthy Connections Member Service Center is 1-888-549-0820, TTY 1-888-842-3620, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. according to the current SCDHHS contact page.
- Have your Medicare information ready. MSP screening normally depends on Medicare Part A status.
- Apply even if you are close. Do not reject yourself because your gross check is a little above a chart.
- Send requested proof quickly. Keep copies and confirmation numbers.
- Write down the application date. Note whether you applied online, by mail, or in person.
- Check status if needed. SCDHHS says eligibility decisions generally take up to 45 days, although some applicant categories can take longer.
If you are trying to manage several benefit applications at once, the GFS SC benefits portals guide can help you keep the official state entry points straight.
Documents and Information to Gather
Do not wait for a perfect folder before starting, but gather what you can. Missing proof can slow the decision.
- Medicare card or proof of Medicare Part A and Part B
- Social Security number and date of birth
- Social Security, pension, Railroad Retirement, VA, or other benefit letters
- Recent bank account information
- Information about stocks, bonds, certificates of deposit, retirement accounts, or other resources the form asks about
- Life-insurance, burial, trust, or property information if requested
- Any Medicaid notice, denial letter, Medicare bill, or collection letter related to the problem
- Name and contact information for a helper if you want someone to assist you
The state’s help and office page lists local eligibility offices and confirms that SC Thrive can help with Healthy Connections applications at 1-800-726-8774.
What Happens After Approval?
Read the approval notice carefully. It should tell you which MSP you received and when it begins.
If you get QMB: keep proof with your Medicare information. Medicare says providers cannot bill QMB members for Medicare-covered Part A and Part B cost-sharing. A small Medicaid copayment may apply in limited cases.
If you get SLMB or QI: South Carolina says these programs pay only the Part B premium and do not provide other Medicaid benefits, so SLMB- and QI-only members do not receive a Medicaid card.
If prescription costs are also hard: Medicare says people who qualify for QMB, SLMB, or QI also get Extra Help with Part D drug costs. The GFS Extra Help guide explains that program and other prescription-cost paths.
If the Part B deduction continues: do not assume the approval failed. Call Healthy Connections and ask whether the MSP information has been sent to Medicare. Keep your approval notice until the deduction changes and any needed adjustment is complete.
What to Do if You Get a QMB Bill
The CMS QMB page says federal law prohibits Medicare providers and suppliers, including pharmacies, from billing QMB members for Medicare Part A or Part B cost-sharing on Medicare-covered items and services. This rule applies to Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage providers.
- Call the billing office. Say you are in QMB and the bill appears to be Medicare cost-sharing.
- Give your QMB proof. Provide the information they need to verify your status.
- Ask for correction. Request removal of the protected deductible, coinsurance, or copayment.
- Ask for a refund if paid. Medicare says you have the right to a refund if you paid protected QMB cost-sharing for covered items or services.
- Escalate if needed. Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). If you are in Medicare Advantage, also call your plan.
Phone Scripts You Can Use
Healthy Connections application
“Hello. I have Medicare and want help with Medicare costs. Please tell me how to apply for a Medicare Savings Program and make sure I am screened for QMB, SLMB, and QI. What proof do you need from me?”
Delayed application
“Hello. I applied on [date]. Is my application still pending? Is anything missing? Which Medicare Savings Program categories were checked?”
QMB billing problem
“Hello. I am in the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary program. This looks like Medicare-covered cost-sharing. Please verify my QMB status, correct the bill, and tell me when the balance will be updated.”
Free SHIP counseling
“Hello. I need free Medicare counseling. Can you help me review my Medicare Savings Program notice, Extra Help, and a bill I may not owe?”
Reality Checks
- National charts are not the final state decision. South Carolina posts its own QMB, SLMB, and QI figures.
- Approval may take time to show in Social Security deductions. Keep the written approval and follow up.
- No Medicaid card can still mean approval. SCDHHS says SLMB- and QI-only members do not get a Medicaid card.
- QI needs yearly attention. Respond quickly to renewal mail.
- Resource questions can be complicated. Do not hide or guess about accounts, insurance, trusts, property, or burial funds; answer the application and let the state apply its exclusions.
- MSP does not fix every medical cost. It does not make every service Medicare-covered, and SLMB/QI do not pay routine Medicare cost-sharing.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using Medicare.gov’s national income chart as if it were South Carolina’s state table
- Waiting for a special “senior” application instead of using Healthy Connections
- Not saying “Medicare Savings Program” when asking for help
- Throwing away a notice because the wording is confusing
- Paying a QMB cost-sharing bill before checking whether it is prohibited
- Missing an appeal or renewal deadline printed on a notice
Denied, Delayed, or Overwhelmed
If the case is delayed: call Healthy Connections at 1-888-549-0820. Ask what is missing, the date the application was received, and which MSP categories were reviewed. SCDHHS says a Medicaid eligibility decision generally takes up to 45 days, but some categories can take longer.
If you were denied: compare the decision notice with the current state rules. Ask which income and resources the agency counted. If you believe the decision is wrong, use the SCDHHS appeal instructions.
If current benefits may stop: the appeals FAQ says you may request continued benefits within 10 days of the notice date. Continued benefits can sometimes have to be repaid if you lose the appeal, so ask how that rule applies before choosing.
If you need help understanding Medicare: South Carolina SHIP counselors provide free, one-on-one help with Medicare, MSPs, Extra Help, billing problems, and appeals. The South Carolina Department on Aging lists SHIP at 1-800-868-9095 on its Medicare counseling page.
Backup Options if MSP Is Not Enough
Other South Carolina benefits: the GFS South Carolina senior guide covers food, housing, utilities, healthcare, and other help that an MSP does not provide.
Local aging services: the GFS South Carolina aging offices directory can help you reach the regional aging network for benefits counseling, meals, transportation, caregiver support, and other services.
Disability-related needs: if Medicare costs are only part of a larger disability problem, the GFS South Carolina disability guide covers home care, equipment, transportation, legal help, and other support.
If You Have Both Medicare and Medicaid
South Carolina’s Healthy Connections Prime Medicare-Medicaid Plan ended January 1, 2026. SCDHHS says people with both programs may now use other coordination options, including Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs), depending on eligibility and location. The state’s D-SNP information page lists Medicare-Medicaid eligibility groups that can be relevant.
This change did not end MSP eligibility. If you are unsure whether a plan change affected your Medicaid or MSP status, call Healthy Connections and SHIP before changing coverage.
South Carolina Resources
| Resource | Best for | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Healthy Connections | Applications, status, documents, eligibility notices | 1-888-549-0820; TTY 1-888-842-3620 |
| SC Thrive | Free Healthy Connections application help | 1-800-726-8774 |
| South Carolina SHIP | Free Medicare counseling, MSPs, Extra Help, billing | 1-800-868-9095 |
| Medicare | QMB billing problems and Medicare coverage questions | 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) |
Resumen en Español
En Carolina del Sur, los Programas de Ahorros de Medicare se manejan por Healthy Connections Medicaid. QMB, SLMB y QI pueden ayudar con la prima de la Parte B. QMB también puede cubrir costos compartidos de servicios cubiertos por Medicare, como deducibles, coseguro y copagos.
Para 2026, Carolina del Sur publica límites mensuales de ingreso de $1,330 para una persona en QMB, $1,596 en SLMB y $1,796 en QI. Para una pareja, los límites son $1,804, $2,164 y $2,435. Los límites de recursos publicados para estos programas son $9,950 para una persona y $14,910 para una pareja. Si está cerca del límite, solicite de todos modos; el estado decide qué ingreso y recursos cuentan.
Llame a Healthy Connections al 1-888-549-0820 para solicitar o preguntar por su caso. Para ayuda gratuita con Medicare, llame a South Carolina SHIP al 1-800-868-9095. Si tiene QMB y recibe una factura por costos compartidos cubiertos por Medicare, pida al proveedor que corrija la factura y llame a 1-800-MEDICARE si el problema continúa.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are South Carolina’s 2026 MSP income limits?
South Carolina lists monthly income limits of $1,330 for one person in QMB, $1,596 for SLMB, and $1,796 for QI. For a couple, the limits are $1,804 for QMB, $2,164 for SLMB, and $2,435 for QI. The state currently lists resource limits of $9,950 for one person and $14,910 for a couple for these programs.
Why are Medicare.gov income limits higher?
Medicare.gov publishes national 2026 examples, while South Carolina publishes its own state income table and applies state eligibility counting rules. Use the South Carolina figures as your state screening reference, but apply if you are close because the agency decides what income counts.
Does South Carolina have an asset test for MSP?
Yes. South Carolina currently lists resource limits for QMB, SLMB, and QI. The agency may ask for information about accounts and other resources, then applies program exclusions and counting rules.
Will I get a Medicaid card with SLMB or QI?
South Carolina says SLMB- and QI-only members do not receive a Medicaid card because those programs pay the Medicare Part B premium only and do not provide other Medicaid benefits. Keep your approval notice.
What should I do if a provider bills me after QMB approval?
Call the provider billing office and say you are in QMB. Ask them to remove Medicare-covered Part A or Part B cost-sharing. If you already paid protected cost-sharing, ask for a refund. If the problem continues, call 1-800-MEDICARE.
How do I appeal an MSP denial in South Carolina?
Read your notice first because the exact deadline is printed there. SCDHHS says some notices allow 30 days from the notice date and others 30 days from receipt. If current benefits are being reduced or ended, ask within 10 days whether continued benefits are available during the appeal.
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: 19 September 2026 · Next review: 19 January 2027
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