ITU Indian Health Service facilities, tribally operated 638 health programs, and Urban 

Indian Health Programs. ITU facilities may be referred to as American Indian Health 

Facilities.

Coinsurance Your share of the costs of a covered health care service, calculated as a 

percent (for example, 20%) of the allowed amount for the service. You pay coinsurance 

plus any deductibles you owe. American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) who are 

eligible to receive services from an ITU are exempt from coinsurance in Medicaid and 

the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

Copayment (Copay) A fixed amount (for example, $15) you pay for a covered health 

care service, usually when you get the service. The amount can vary by the type of 

covered health care service. AI/ANs who are eligible to receive services from an ITU are 

exempt from copayments in Medicaid and CHIP.

Deductible The amount you owe for health care services your health insurance plan 

covers before your health insurance or plan begins to pay. AI/ANs who are eligible to 

receive services from an ITU are exempt from deductibles in Medicaid and CHIP.

Extra Help A Medicare program to help eligible people pay Medicare prescription drug 

costs.

Income How much money you have coming to you each month. 

Premium The amount that must be paid for your health insurance or plan. You or your 

employer usually pays it monthly, quarterly, or yearly.

Resources Money or other items of value you have saved or have available, like stocks, 

bonds, or a savings account. Countable resources that affect your eligibility for the 

Medicare Savings Programs do not include your home, one car, your burial plot, burial 

costs (up to $1,500 if you have put that money aside), furniture, or other household or 

personal items.

@CMSGov #CMSNativeHealth

Medicare Savings Programs 

Information for American 

Indians and Alaska Natives:

Get help paying for Medicare costs

if you have limited income and assets

Apply now, even if you’re not sure you qualify.

Talk to your local Indian health care provider, or contact you state Medicaid Office.

Visit go.cms.gov/mspresources to find someone to talk to in your state.

@CMSGov #CMSNativeHealth

CMS Product No. 11932-N - August 2015
www.medicare.gov @CMSGov #CMSNativeHealth

3. Do you have limited resources? Countable resources include money in a 

checking or savings account, stocks, and bonds.

When you count your 

resources, don’t include 

your home, one car, burial 

plots, burial costs (up to 

$1,500), life insurance 

with a cash value of less 

than $1,500, furniture, 

or other household and 

personal items. Also, when 

you count your resources 

don’t include Indian-specific property, such as Individual Indian Money 

accounts, real property or natural resource interests within reservation 

boundaries (or former reservation boundaries), or items of traditional or 

cultural relevance.

If you qualify for a QMB, SLMB, or QI program, you will also automatically 

qualify to get Extra Help, the federal program that helps pay your Medicare 

prescription drug (Part D) plan costs. 

Glossary

Medicare A federal program that helps care for the elderly and disabled. People over 

the age of 65, people younger than 65 who are disabled, and people with end-stage 

kidney disease all qualify for Medicare—including AI/ANs.

Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) In general, Part A covers hospital care, 

limited skilled nursing facility (SNF) care, and hospice and home health services.

Medicare Part B covers two types of services: medically necessary services and 

preventive services. In general, Part B covers things like clinical laboratory services, 

ambulance service, durable medical equipment, mental health care, getting a second 

opinion before surgery, and limited outpatient prescription drugs. 

Medicare Part D is a plan through Medicare that helps cover the cost of prescription 

drugs.

Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that helps with medical costs for some 

people with limited income and resources. Medicaid also offers benefits not normally 

covered by Medicare, like nursing home care and personal care services.

What is the Medicare Savings Programs (MSP)?:

It is a Medicaid program designed to help pay your Medicare costs if you 

have limited finances. To qualify for an MSP you must have or be eligible for 

Medicare Part A and meet income and asset guidelines (see charts). 

Can I use a MSP to help pay for my Medicare and still receive services from 

my Indian Health Service, my Tribal Health Program, or my Urban Indian 

Health Program (ITU)?

Yes, you can always receive services from your ITU. But by enrolling in 

Medicare with help from an MSP, you benefit by having greater access to 

services that may not be provided by your ITU and your tribal community 

benefits through increased resources to your ITU program. In addition, the 

MSP may help pay for costs, such as premiums, deductibles and co-payments, 

for services that you receive from a non-ITU provider.

There are three main MSPs that can help you save money on premiums and 

other costs:

1. Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Program

2. Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) Program

3. Qualifying Individual (QI) Program

Three key questions

If you answer “yes” to these three questions, call your local or state Medicaid 

office to see if you qualify for an MSP in your state.

1. Do you have or are you eligible for Medicare Part A (also known as 

hospital insurance)?

2. Is your income at or below the income limits listed below?

Medicare Saving 

Programs

Individual 

Monthly Income 

Limit*

Married Couple 

Monthly Income 

Limit*

Helps Pay For

QMB $1,001 $1,348

• Part A premiums

• Part B premiums

• Deductibles, coinsurance, 

and copayments

SLMB $1,197 $1,613 • Part B premiums only

QI $1,345 $1,813 • Part B premiums only

* If you have income from working, you may qualify for these benefits even if your income is higher than these 

limits. Many states determine your income and resources differently, so you may qualify in your state even if 

you think you’re above these limits. Limits are slightly higher in Alaska and Hawaii. Some states have higher 

resource levels or don’t count resources. Check with your state to find out more.

Medicare 

Saving 

Programs

Individual 

Resource 

Limit

Married 

Couple 

Resource 

Limit

QMB $7,280 $10,930

SLMB $7,280 $10,930

QI $7,280 $10,930