Medicare Savings Programs in Florida

The short answer: Florida's Medicare Savings Programs, also called Medicare Buy-In, use Medicaid money to pay Medicare costs for people with limited income and savings. At minimum they pay the Part B premium, which is $202.90 a month in 2026. (Source: CMS.) Many people who qualify don't know it, and qualifying also brings automatic Extra Help with drug costs. Apply through the Department of Children and Families (DCF).

2026 Income and Asset Limits

These are DCF's monthly income limits effective April 2026. DCF subtracts a $20 general disregard from your income before comparing it to the limit. (Sources: DCF ESS Appendix A-9.1 and Appendix A-9.)

Medicare.gov lists slightly higher national figures because it adds the $20 disregard into the limit. (Source: Medicare.gov.)

What Each Program Pays

• QMB pays Part A and Part B premiums, deductibles and coinsurance. Medicare providers are not allowed to bill QMB members for deductibles, coinsurance or copays for Medicare-covered care. (Sources: DCF policy manual and Medicare.gov.)
• SLMB pays the Part B premium.
• QI1 pays the Part B premium, but funding is a fixed yearly federal amount, so you must reapply each year and it is first come, first served.

Anyone eligible for Medicaid or a Medicare Savings Program is automatically enrolled in Social Security's Extra Help with Part D drug costs for the rest of the year. (Source: DCF.)

How to Apply in Florida

1. Fill out DCF's Medicaid/Medicare Buy-In application (form 464) and mail or fax it to a DCF service center. (Source: DCF.)
2. Or apply for Extra Help through Social Security. Social Security sends your information to Florida, and it can count as a Medicare Savings Program application.
3. Gather proof of income (Social Security and pension statements) and assets (bank statements), plus your Medicare card.
4. Apply right away. There is no retroactive coverage for QMB. (Source: DCF policy manual.)

Questions: DCF Customer Call Center, (850) 300-4323, weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Source: DCF.) For free help, call SHINE through the Elder Helpline at 1-800-963-5337.

Other Florida Medicaid Help for People on Medicare

• MEDS-AD (Medicaid for the aged and disabled) covers people 65 and older or disabled with income up to $1,171 a month for one person or $1,588 for a couple and assets up to $5,000 or $6,000. People on Medicare qualify only if they also get nursing facility, hospice or home and community-based services. (Sources: DCF Appendix A-9 and DCF policy manual.)
• Medically Needy helps people whose income is too high for regular Medicaid. Each month you qualify once your medical bills reach your "share of cost," like a monthly deductible. The asset limit is $5,000 for one person.
• Long-term care: see Florida Medicaid long-term care.

October 2026: A One-Time $90 Part B Rebate

CMS is sending a one-time $90 rebate in October 2026 to people in Original Medicare Part B who live in the U.S., do not get premium help from Medicaid (including a Medicare Savings Program), and do not pay the higher-income IRMAA surcharge. Medicare Advantage members are not eligible. Most people get it by direct deposit around October 8. To check eligibility, call 1-800-633-4227; for payment status, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 starting October 15, 2026. (Source: CMS.) Ignore anyone who asks for your Medicare number to "release" the rebate.

Reviewing your plan for next year? See Medicare Open Enrollment 2027 in Florida and other senior citizen benefits.

Questions About Medicare Savings Programs