Extra Help vs. Medicare Savings Programs
Extra Help and Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) are two different low-income benefits that are easy to confuse. Extra Help lowers your drug costs; MSPs lower your Part B costs. They are separate programs — but qualifying for one often opens the door to the other.
The key difference
The simplest way to keep them straight: Extra Help is federal and about Part D drugs, while Medicare Savings Programs are state Medicaid programs about the Part B premium and related costs.
| Extra Help (LIS) | Medicare Savings Programs | |
|---|---|---|
| Run by | Federal (Social Security / CMS) | State Medicaid agency |
| Mainly helps with | Part D premium, deductible, and copays | Part B premium (QMB also deductibles & coinsurance) |
| Programs | One full subsidy | QMB, SLMB, QI |
| Apply through | ssa.gov/extrahelp | Your state Medicaid office |
How the two connect
The programs are linked. If you are approved for any Medicare Savings Program, you are automatically deemed eligible for full Extra Help — Social Security enrolls you without a separate application. That is why it is often smart to apply for an MSP through your state even if you already have Extra Help, and vice versa. See the Extra Help eligibility limits to check the federal income and resource thresholds.
The three Medicare Savings Programs
- QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary) — the most generous. Pays your Part B premium and your Part A and Part B deductibles, coinsurance, and copays. Providers cannot bill QMB members for those costs.
- SLMB (Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary) — pays your Part B premium only, with slightly higher income limits than QMB.
- QI (Qualifying Individual) — also pays the Part B premium only, with higher income limits than SLMB. Funding is limited and granted first-come, first-served, so you must reapply each year.
Because each state runs its own MSPs with its own (sometimes higher) limits, your options can depend on where you live. A licensed advisor can help you apply for both Extra Help and the right Medicare Savings Program at no cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Extra Help and a Medicare Savings Program?
Extra Help is a federal program that lowers Part D prescription drug costs. Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) are state-run Medicaid programs that help pay the Part B premium, and in some cases Part B deductibles and coinsurance.
If I qualify for an MSP, do I also get Extra Help?
Yes. Qualifying for any Medicare Savings Program (QMB, SLMB, or QI) automatically qualifies you for full Extra Help — you do not need to file a separate Extra Help application.
What do QMB, SLMB, and QI cover?
QMB pays the Part B premium plus Part A/B deductibles, coinsurance, and copays. SLMB pays only the Part B premium. QI also pays only the Part B premium but has slightly higher income limits and is first-come, first-served.
Who runs these programs?
Extra Help is run by the federal government (Social Security and CMS). Medicare Savings Programs are administered by each state’s Medicaid agency, so income limits and how you apply can vary by state.
Talk to a Licensed Medicare Advisor
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Get My Free ReviewThis information is for educational purposes only and is not legal, tax, or insurance advice. Medicare rules, premiums, and income thresholds change annually — confirm current figures with Medicare.gov, the Social Security Administration, or a licensed advisor. HealthPlan Connect is not affiliated with or endorsed by the federal Medicare program or any government agency. Last reviewed 2026-06-11 by Lynsey Brennan, Licensed Medicare Advisor (FL #G007269).