There are also Medicare savings programs that help beneficiaries pay Medicare premiums, deductibles, coinsurance or copays. Each program has its own qualifications and benefits. A beneficiary must have Medicare Part A, and resources and income determine program eligibility. Income amounts cannot exceed a specific percentage of the FPL, which varies by program.
The chart below lists the four programs and the assistance provided. If a beneficiary qualifies for a Medicare savings program, he or she automatically qualifies for Eextra Hhelp. Visit www.medicare.gov/basics/costs/help/medicare-savings-programs for information on program income and resource limits.
| Medicare Savings Program | Helps Pay |
| Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB)
|
Part A and Part B premiums and other cost-sharing (like deductibles, coinsurance and copayments) |
| Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) | Part B premium only |
| Qualifying Individual (QI) | Part B premium only |
| Qualified Disabled and Working Individual (QDWI)
(States must pay the Medicare Part A premium for certain working disabled Medicare beneficiaries who have exhausted their entitlement to premium-free Part A benefits because they returned to work) |
Part A premium only |
Per CMS guidelines, Medicare providers may not collect coinsurance or copayments from some dual-eligible plan members and may not refuse to serve plan members who receive assistance from a state Medicaid program.
For additional information on Louisiana’s Medicaid policy, call the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals at 225-342-9500 or 1-888-342-6207 or visit http://ldh.la.gov.