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Elizabeth M. Whitehorn, Director

HFS 3757 Medicare Savings for Qualified Beneficiaries

You Could Save up to $1,978.80 a year in Medicare expenses

The State of Illinois can help.

Learn about State of Illinois programs that can save you money.

Many Illinoisans with Medicare can save up to $1,978.80 each year by participating in Medicare cost sharing programs. These programs may pay for Medicare premiums. You can keep more of your Social Security check by enrolling. Many people use the extra money to help pay for living expenses or prescription drugs.

Many of the people who can save those costs never apply. Are you one of them?

How Do I Know If I Qualify?

  1. You must have Medicare Hospital Insurance (Part A). If you’re not sure whether you have it, look on your Medicare card or call Social Security, at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY:1-800-325-0778) to find out. The call is free.
  2. Your income is below certain limits. (Look at the table below to see if you might qualify.)
  3. Your financial resources, (not counting your home) cannot exceed $9,090.00 for yourself or $15,160.00 if you have one or more dependents living with you.
     

    Financial resources are things like bank accounts, stocks, and bonds.

    Some things are not counted: the home you live in, one car, burial plots, and furniture.

The State of Illinois will not place a claim on your estate for the amount of Medicare cost-sharing expenses paid by the state.

How Does It Work?

The State of Illinois may pay some or all of the following Medicare expenses depending on your income:

Premiums - These amounts would no longer be deducted from your Social Security check.

Deductibles and Coinsurance - If your doctor accepts assignment, he or she will bill the state for these amounts when you seek healthcare.

How Do I Apply?

To learn more about Medicare Cost Sharing or to request an application call the Department of Human Services (DHS) at 1-800-843-6154 (TTY: 1-800-447-6404). The call is free.

You may download an application from the Internet at Medical Programs Forms Web page.

A face to face interview is not required. After you apply, DHS will send you a notice to tell you if you can get help with your Medicare cost sharing expenses.

Your Monthly Income Limits*
 Program May Pay* Cost Sharing Program Name
$1,215 Individual or $1,643 Couple Premiums, deductibles, coinsurance up to $164.90/month-$1,978.80/year Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB)
$1,457 Individual or $1,971 Couple Medicare Part B premiums
up to $164.90/month-$1,978.80/year		 Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLIB/SLMB)
$1,639 Individual or $2,218 Couple Medicare Part B premiums up to $164.90/month-$1,978.80/year Qualified Individual-1 (QI-1)

*2023 levels, these limits may increase slightly each year.

2023 Medicare Deductible, Coinsurance & Premium Amounts

Medicare Part A Hospital

Deductible: $1,600

Coinsurance:

  • 1st through 60th day: $0

  • 61st through 90th day: $400.00/day

  • 91st through 150th day: $800.00/day

Part A Skilled Nursing Facility

Coinsurance:

  • 1st through 20th day: $0

  • 21st through 100th day: $200.00/day

Part A Premium

  • If you or our spouse paid Medicare taxes while working, you may not have to pay a premium for Medicare Part A.

Medicare Part B

Deductible: $226.00/year

Premium: $164.90/month

HFS 3757 (R-08-23)