What you'll learn
- Texas has four Medicare Savings Programs: QMB, SLMB, QI, and QDWI, run by Texas Health and Human Services.
- QMB, SLMB, and QI can pay your Part B premium. QMB also covers Part A and B deductibles and coinsurance.
- You can apply online at YourTexasBenefits.com or with Form H1200, and HICAP counselors can help for free.
- If a Medicare Savings Program pays your Part B premium, you automatically get Extra Help with drug costs.
The standard Part B premium is $202.90 a month in 2026. Over a year, that's more than $2,400 out of a Social Security check. For Texans living on a fixed income, that's real money. Texas's Medicare Savings Programs can pick up that premium, and sometimes much more. The catch is that you have to apply.
Texas's four Medicare Savings Programs
These programs are run by Texas Health and Human Services (HHS) and funded through Medicaid. You must be entitled to Medicare Part A to qualify.
| Program | What it pays |
|---|---|
| Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) | Part A and Part B premiums, plus deductibles and coinsurance for Medicare-covered services |
| Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) | Part B premium |
| Qualifying Individual (QI) | Part B premium. You can't get QI if you're getting benefits from another Medicaid-funded program, and you must reapply every year |
| Qualified Disabled and Working Individual (QDWI) | Part A premium, for certain working people under 65 with disabilities |
Each program has its own income and resource limits, and they're updated every year. QMB has the lowest income limits. SLMB and QI allow somewhat higher incomes. Because the numbers change, check the current limits with HICAP or Texas HHS before you assume you won't qualify.
The 2027 Part B premium hasn't been announced yet. CMS typically releases the new amounts each fall.
A bonus: Extra Help with prescriptions
Medicare says that if you get help paying your Part B premium through a Medicare Savings Program, you'll automatically get Extra Help, the federal program that lowers Part D drug costs. In 2026, people with Extra Help pay no more than $12.65 for each covered drug.
How to apply in Texas
- Gather your paperwork. Have your Medicare card, ID, proof of income, and recent bank statements ready.
- Apply online at YourTexasBenefits.com. Texas HHS's self-service portal lists Medicare savings programs among the benefits you can apply for.
- Or use Form H1200. Texas HHS's Form H1200, Application for Assistance, is the form to apply for Medicaid for the Elderly and People with Disabilities or a Medicare Savings Program. It's available in English and Spanish.
- Get free help. Call 2-1-1 for help finding services, or contact the Texas Health Information, Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) at 1-800-252-9240. Counselors can walk you through the application at no cost. Your local Area Agency on Aging can also connect you with a counselor.
Approval isn't instant, so apply as soon as you think you might qualify. HICAP can tell you what to expect after you submit your application.
What QMB means at the doctor's office
If you're in QMB, Medicare providers aren't allowed to bill you for services and items Medicare covers, including deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. You may still owe a small Medicaid copayment if one applies. Bring your Medicare card and your Medicaid or QMB card to every visit. If you get a bill you think is wrong, call 1-800-MEDICARE.
Plans built for people with Medicare and Medicaid
If you qualify for full Texas Medicaid along with Medicare, you may be able to join a Dual Special Needs Plan (D-SNP), a type of Medicare Advantage plan designed for people with both kinds of coverage. Some of these plans include extras such as dental or vision coverage. Availability varies by county, so check our county guides or compare options in Medicare Advantage vs. Original Medicare in Texas.
People who have Medicaid or get Extra Help can also change their Medicare drug coverage once a calendar month, with changes taking effect the first day of the next month.
Common questions
Who qualifies for a Medicare Savings Program in Texas?
Eligibility depends on your income and resources, and you must be entitled to Medicare Part A. The limits change each year, so check with HICAP at 1-800-252-9240 or Texas HHS for current figures. If you're close to the limits, it's often worth applying.
How do I apply for QMB in Texas?
You can apply online through YourTexasBenefits.com, which lists Medicare savings programs among the benefits you can apply for, or use Form H1200, the Texas HHS application for Medicaid for the Elderly and People with Disabilities or Medicare Savings Programs. For help, call 2-1-1 or HICAP at 1-800-252-9240.
If I qualify, can I change my Medicare plan?
People who have Medicaid or get Extra Help can change their Medicare drug coverage once a calendar month, with changes starting the first day of the next month. Some limits apply, so check with Medicare or a counselor first.
Sources
- Medicare.gov: Medicare Savings Programs
- Medicare.gov: Save money on your Medicare costs (fact sheet)
- Medicare.gov: Medicare costs
- Texas HHS: Medicare (HICAP and Medicare Savings Programs)
- Texas HHS MEPD Handbook: Appendix IX, Medicare Savings Program Information
- Texas HHS MEPD Handbook: Q-1000, Medicare Savings Programs Overview
- Texas HHS: Form H1200, Application for Assistance
- Texas HHS MEPD Handbook: Appendix LI, Self-Service Portal (YourTexasBenefits.com)
- Texas HHS: Medicaid for the Elderly and People with Disabilities
- Medicare.gov: Special Enrollment Periods
