news from the Cabinet on Aging:
Medicare expansion

Greetings from the Cabinet on Aging!

I am using this month’s column to be sure you are all aware of important changes to Maine’s Medicare Savings Program (MSP).

What is the Medicare Savings Program?

For Medicare beneficiaries who meet MSP eligibility, this program helps pay for certain Medicare costs that are otherwise out-of-pocket expenses such as Part A premiums, Part B premiums, Medicare deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. While MSP helps Medicare beneficiaries, the program is funded though MaineCare, which is the name for Maine’s Medicaid program.

What is changing?

The Legislature has made several eligibility changes to the program to allow for more people to receive these benefits. This includes removing any asset limits, which became effective January 1, 2024. Effective July 1, 2024, people with higher income levels now qualify for MSP. The new monthly income limits as of July 1st are:

• Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries (QMB): 185% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) or $2,322 (individuals)/$3,152 (couples) per month

• Qualifying Individual (QI): 250% of the FPL or $3,158 (individuals)/$4,259 (couples) per month

Benefits vary depending on the eligibility group an individual qualifies for (either QMB or QI), which is based on income. This change also means that a third eligibility group that currently exists, known as the Specialized Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) program, will be replaced by QMB, which provides more benefits.

Where can I get more information?

For more detailed information about eligibility, how to apply, and other impacts of these changes, please see the website for the DHHS Office of Financial Independence which you can view here. This website also explains the process for current MSP participants, some of whom may now be eligible for, and be automatically transitioned to, a higher level of benefits as of July 1st. If you have other questions, people can also reach out to Consumers for Affordable Health Care or your Area Agency on Aging for assistance.

Anything else?

This program is not subject to estate recovery. Anyone on Medicare may be eligible based on income. For those who qualify, this can represent a significant savings so please help get the word out!

Resources for more information

• Consumer for Affordable Health Care Fact Sheet about the Medicare Savings Plan

• Consumers for Affordable Healthcare Estate Recovery Guidelines

• Printable application

• Online application (to find out if you are eligible, click the "Pre-screening Tool; to complete the application, click "Apply for benefits

  • Consumers for Affordable Health Care. Introduction to Medicare and the Medicare Savings Plan, and Guidance for completing the online application