Montana SLMB and QI Programs: Getting Your Part B Premium Paid
What SLMB and QI Cover
Both programs pay one thing: your $202.90 monthly Medicare Part B premium. That's $2,434.80 per year back in your Social Security check. Neither program covers deductibles, coinsurance, or copayments — that's what QMB does. But if your income is too high for QMB, SLMB and QI are the next tier of help.
The difference between SLMB and QI is funding, not benefits:
- SLMB is open-ended federal Medicaid funding. If you qualify, you get in.
- QI runs on a capped annual federal block grant. Montana approves applicants first-come, first-served and may waitlist eligible applicants once the allocation runs out. DPHHS redetermines MSP eligibility every 12 months, so follow the renewal or reapplication instructions in your notice.
2026 Income Limits
| Program | Individual (Gross Monthly) | Couple (Gross Monthly) | Resource Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLMB | $1,350 – $1,616 | $1,824 – $2,184 | $9,950 / $14,910 |
| QI | $1,616 – $1,816 | $2,184 – $2,450 | $9,950 / $14,910 |
These are gross figures. After the $20 monthly unearned income disregard, the countable thresholds are $1,596 (SLMB) and $1,796 (QI) for individuals.
If your countable income is at or below $1,330 after disregards, you'd qualify for QMB instead — which covers everything SLMB/QI do plus all cost-sharing. DPHHS evaluates you for the most generous program your income supports.
Retroactive Coverage
SLMB and QI both allow retroactive benefits up to three months before your application month, as long as you met the eligibility criteria during those months. If you apply in October 2026 and DPHHS approves you, coverage can start as early as July 2026 — and Montana will pay the Part B premiums that were deducted from your Social Security checks during those months.
SSA processes the refund as a lump sum, usually 60-90 days after DPHHS accretes the buy-in record. This is different from QMB, which is prospective only (coverage starts the month after DPHHS issues a favorable notice, with no retroactive payments).
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How to Apply
SLMB and QI use the same Combined Application for Assistance as QMB. Apply through:
- apply.mt.gov (online portal)
- 1-888-706-1535 (Public Assistance Helpline)
- Your county Office of Public Assistance (in person)
- Mail to DPHHS in Helena
You don't choose which program to apply for — DPHHS determines the best fit based on your income and places you accordingly. If your income drops later, they can move you to QMB at the next review.
The Extra Help Bonus
Approval for SLMB or QI automatically qualifies you for Medicare Extra Help. CMS handles this — DPHHS sends daily eligibility feeds, and you'll receive an automatic "deemed" LIS notice without filing a separate application. Extra Help eliminates Part D deductibles, closes the coverage gap, and caps drug copays at $5.10 for generics and $12.65 for brand-name drugs.
For income worksheets that show exactly how the disregards apply to your parent's Social Security and pension income, see the Montana Medicare Savings Programs guide.
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