Medicare Premium Payment Program

If you have Medicare, the Medicare Premium Payment (MPP) program, also known as the Medicare Savings Programs (MSP), might help you save money on the cost of premiums, co-payments, and deductibles. There are three MPP programs available in Rhode Island. Based on your income and resources, we can help you understand which one would be a good match for you. 

What are the three Medicare Premium Payment programs? 

The three Medicare Premium Payment programs are: 

  • Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB)
  • Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary Program (SLMB)
  • Qualified Individual (QI)

How do I know which program is right for me? 

Depending on what your monthly income and resources are, you can apply for a Medicare Premium Payment program that works for you. The table below shows what the monthly income and resource limits are for MPP in 2024. 

Medicaid Premium Payment Program Who can apply? Individual monthly income limit Individual resource limit Married couple monthly income limit Married couple resource limit What does it help pay for?
Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) People 65 or older, and adults with disabilities $1,275     $9,430   $1,724 $14,130 Medicare Part A premiums, Medicare Part B premiums, co-payments, and deductibles
Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary Program (SLMB) People 65 or older, and adults with disabilities $1,526    $9,430        $2,064 $14,130 Medicare Part B premiums
Qualified Individual (QI) People 65 or older, and adults with disabilities $1,715   $9,430    $2,320 $14,130 Medicare Part B premiums (Funds for this program are limited and eligibility is on a first come, first served basis.)
  • Premium: A monthly amount you pay for coverage, whether you get services or not.  
  • Copayment: A fixed amount you pay for a Medicare-covered service, like $30.   
  • Deductible: An amount you have to pay for covered services and items each year before Medicare or your plan starts to pay.

A copy of the Medicare Premium Payment program application is available online here. 

You can contact your Department of Human Services (DHS) office to apply for the Medicare Premium Payment program. You can also learn more about application options here or follow one of these options: 

  • Online: Log in or create an account on healthyrhode.ri.gov
  • By phone: Call 1-855-697-4347
  • By mail: Download and complete the application. Mail it to: 
    RI Department of Human Services 
    P.O. Box 8709 Cranston, RI 02920-8787
  • In person: Download and complete the application. Drop off your completed application in a secure drop box at any DHS office