Medicare
SLMB (Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary)
SLMB covers the monthly Part B premium for qualifying low-income Medicare beneficiaries whose income exceeds the QMB limit but remains below 120% of FPL.
Last reviewed: May 2026 · Editorial methodology
Definition
The Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) program is a Medicare Savings Program that helps low-income Medicare beneficiaries who earn slightly too much to qualify for the more comprehensive Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program. SLMB pays the Medicare Part B monthly premium — $202.90 in 2026 for most beneficiaries — on behalf of qualifying enrollees. Unlike QMB, SLMB does not cover Part A premiums, deductibles, or other Medicare cost-sharing. The income eligibility threshold for SLMB is generally between 100% and 120% of the federal poverty level. Like QMB, enrollment in SLMB automatically qualifies the beneficiary for Extra Help with Part D prescription drug costs, which is a substantial additional benefit often worth hundreds of dollars annually in reduced drug costs. The Qualifying Individual (QI) program covers the Part B premium for those at 120–135% FPL but must be applied for annually and is funded by a capped federal grant, meaning enrollment is first-come, first-served. All MSP applications are submitted to the state Medicaid agency.
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Cover Forge USA Editorial Team
Editorial Lead
This article was researched and written by the Cover Forge USA editorial team against federal sources (NAIC, CMS, FEMA, DOL, SSA, state DOIs) and standard policy forms. Bylines organize content by topic — they do not assert individual licensure. See our editorial-policy for details.
Reviewed 2026-06-14
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