Small Print and a Bigger Check: Minnesota Medicare Savings Programs

Questions this episode answers

Key facts

• Medicare Savings Programs are run by your state; the state decides which level fits.
• They can pay the Part B premium: $202.90 a month in 2026 (CMS standard premium), so estimated savings of up to $202.90 a month.
• The top level (QMB) also helps with Medicare deductibles, coinsurance and copays.
• Minnesota income limits (7/1/26 to 6/30/27), one person / two: QMB $1,350 / $1,824; SLMB $1,616 / $2,184; QI $1,816 / $2,455.
• Minnesota asset limit: $10,000 single, $18,000 for two or more; the home and a car usually do not count.
• QMB, SLMB and QI come with Extra Help for drugs.
• Minnesota: paper form DHS-3876 to your county or Tribal office; not online; free. Help: Minnesota Aging Pathways, 800-333-2433.
• Coverage usually starts the month the application is received; some people get Part B paid back three months. Not tied to Open Enrollment dates.
• Other states: contact your state, or 1-800-633-4227.

Chapters

1. 00:00Last time: Indiana HIP, and why this October counts
2. 00:07Hook: what does the small print on your Social Security check have to do with a bigger check? Up to $202.90 a month in 2026 (estimated)
3. 00:27This is Your Daily Benefit
4. 00:29What the help is: Medicare Savings Programs, run by the state, and free
5. 00:50Does every check get bigger? Only if the Part B cost comes out of it now
6. 01:32Who can apply in Minnesota: income and savings limits
7. 01:58A made up neighbor who thought his house meant no
8. 02:31Separate: the drug help bonus (Extra Help)
9. 02:43How to apply in Minnesota: paper form DHS 3876 to your county or Tribal office
10. 03:21Not tied to the change window, and going back three months
11. 03:46Not in Minnesota? Every state has this help
12. 04:11Tomorrow: a pink slip and your fridge

Find help

• Full episode page with transcript
• All Your Daily Benefit episodes
• Medicare Savings Programs income limits, Minnesota section (Benefit Bull guide)
• The Senior Money Checklist (Benefit Bull guide)
• See what help may be out there for you at Benefit Bull

Benefit Bull helps you find programs. You always apply yourself, through the official program, and applying is free.

Sources

Full transcript

1. 00:01

   Host 2: Last time was Indiana health coverage, and if you apply in January, this October counts.

2. 00:06

   Host 1: Right.

3. 00:07

   Host 2: But today, well, what does the small print on your Social Security check have to do with a bigger check? So here is the surprise.

4. 00:15

   Host 1: In Minnesota, the state may pay the monthly Medicare Part B cost. That is up to $202.90 a month in 2026, estimated, and that money can stay in your check.

5. 00:27

   Host 2: This is Your Daily Benefit.

6. 00:28

   Host 1: Let's talk about it.

7. 00:29

   Host 2: Yeah, so we are looking at a specific kind of Medicare cost help. The official name is Medicare Savings Programs. So how does it work?

8. 00:38

   Host 1: The state runs it. It basically pays for Part B.

9. 00:42

   Host 2: And just to explain that part, Part B is the doctor visit part of Medicare. It is super important.

10. 00:48

    Host 1: Right, it is.

11. 00:50

    Host 2: But wait, does everyone's check get bigger with this help?

12. 00:53

    Host 1: No, not everyone. That only happens if that cost comes out of your Social Security check now.

13. 00:58

    Host 2: Oh, I see. Think of that Part B cost like a required monthly TV bill. The money gets taken right out of your check before you ever even see it.

14. 01:08

    Host 1: Exactly.

15. 01:09

    Host 2: But once this help starts, the state takes over that bill.

16. 01:12

    Host 1: The cost stops coming out of your check and the help is completely free.

17. 01:16

    Host 2: I mean, I love the sound of free, but you do not pick your own level of help, right?

18. 01:21

    Host 1: Right.

19. 01:21

    Host 2: You can apply, but the state decides your level.

20. 01:25

    Host 1: The top level also helps with costs at the doctor.

21. 01:28

    Host 2: Like copays and things?

22. 01:30

    Host 1: Yes, exactly.

23. 01:31

    Host 2: Like copays. Let's look at the limits for who fits. If the state is picking up this bill, they must have rules.

24. 01:36

    Host 1: They do. In Minnesota, the top income line is about $1,816 a month for one person.

25. 01:43

    Host 2: Okay, and for two people?

26. 01:45

    Host 1: For two, it is about $2,455.

27. 01:48

    Host 2: You can also have savings, right? Like cash in the bank.

28. 01:51

    Host 1: Yes. The limit is up to about $10,000 for one person, or it is about $18,000 for two or more.

29. 01:58

    Host 2: So to put this in perspective, imagine a pretend neighbor of mine. And just to be clear, he is completely made up.

30. 02:05

    Host 1: Sure. I am picturing him.

31. 02:06

    Host 2: Right. He has Medicare. He gets a small check every month. He also has a house and an old car in the driveway. He probably thinks his house means he gets no help.

32. 02:16

    Host 1: Well, the home you live in usually does not count, and the car usually does not count either.

33. 02:21

    Host 2: Huh. I would have guessed a house was a clear no. And people apply themselves on the real program's form or phone line?

34. 02:28

    Host 1: Right. Then the state looks at the math and decides.

35. 02:31

    Host 2: Okay, separate from that, there is a bonus.

36. 02:33

    Host 1: Yes, totally separate. The bonus is help paying for your medicines. Medicare calls it Extra Help. It comes with the Medicare cost help automatically.

37. 02:43

    Host 2: So how do you actually apply in Minnesota? I'm guessing it is an easy online form.

38. 02:50

    Host 1: Actually, no. It is a bit old school. You use a paper form.

39. 02:55

    Host 2: Oh, wow.

40. 02:56

    Host 1: Yeah, it's called the Application for Certain Populations. The form number is DHS 3876. You fill it out and send it to your county or Tribal office.

41. 03:06

    Host 2: Wait, it's not online at all?

42. 03:08

    Host 1: Nope, it's not online.

43. 03:09

    Host 2: What if someone needs help filling out the paper?

44. 03:13

    Host 1: You can get free help for that. You can call Minnesota Aging Pathways. Their number is 800-333-2433.

45. 03:21

    Host 2: Okay, but wait, is this tied to those specific Medicare change window dates?

46. 03:26

    Host 1: No, it is not. You can do this at any time. Coverage usually starts the month the county gets your form.

47. 03:33

    Host 2: Oh, nice.

48. 03:34

    Host 1: And it gets better. Some people may get their Part B paid going back three months.

49. 03:39

    Host 2: Wait, really?

50. 03:40

    Host 1: Yes. If you met the rules back then, the state might cover those past months.

51. 03:45

    Host 2: That is huge. Now, what if you were listening and you are not in Minnesota?

52. 03:50

    Host 1: Every single state has this help, and your state might even allow more than the national limits.

53. 03:54

    Host 2: So how do they find out?

54. 03:56

    Host 1: They can call 1-800-633-4227. That is the main Medicare line. And Medicare's website says you can apply even if you do not think you fit. Let them tell you no.

55. 04:08

    Host 2: That is great advice. Let the state do the math. Well, tomorrow we are looking at what a pink slip has to do with your fridge. Some families who just lost their pay may get food help within seven days.

56. 04:20

    Host 1: That is going to be an important one to hear.

57. 04:21

    Host 2: And hey, this and a lot more you can find at benefitbull.com.

58. 04:26

    Disclosure: Quick note: the voices on Your Daily Benefit are AI generated.