Alphabet Soup Certain low-income Medicare beneficiaries are entitled to have their Medicare premiums paid for by their state Medicaid program. Some persons are also entitled to have Medicaid pay their Medicare deductibles and co-payments. These programs that provide for such payments are collectively referred to as buy-in programs. Individuals must apply for benefits at their local welfare or Medicaid offices.
Eligibility is needs based.
Income eligibility is linked to federal income poverty guidelines. These are revised each year and published in February or March. A house, a car of limited value and a few other resources are not counted toward the resource limit. QDWIs are entitled to have the state pay their Part A premium only. The Balanced Budget Act of 1997 created two additional eligibility groups of low-income Medicare beneficiaries for whom Medicaid payment can be made for Medicare Part B premiums.