New Hampshire Medicare Savings Program: What It Covers and Who Qualifies
What the Medicare Savings Program Does in New Hampshire
Medicare's monthly bills add up fast. The standard Part B premium alone is $202.90 per month in 2026 — that's $2,434.80 a year coming straight out of a Social Security check before groceries, heating oil, or prescriptions.
New Hampshire's Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) are state-administered benefits that pay some or all of those Medicare costs for people with limited income and assets. The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), through its Division of Economic Stability, runs the program. Three main tiers exist, each covering different costs:
- QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary) pays the Part B premium, Part A premium (if applicable), and all Medicare deductibles and coinsurance. It's the most comprehensive level.
- SLMB (Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary) pays the Part B monthly premium.
- SLMB135 — New Hampshire's label for what the federal government calls the Qualifying Individual (QI) program — also pays the Part B premium, funded through a separate federal block grant.
A fourth tier, QDWI, helps working disabled individuals who lost premium-free Part A pay their Part A premium.
2026 Income and Asset Limits
Eligibility depends on countable monthly income and total resources. New Hampshire applies the standard $20 general income disregard per household, meaning someone with $1,370 in gross Social Security has a countable income of $1,350.
| Program | Single Income Limit | Couple Income Limit | Asset Limit (Single/Couple) |
|---|---|---|---|
| QMB | $1,350/mo | $1,824/mo | $9,950 / $14,910 |
| SLMB | $1,616/mo | $2,184/mo | $9,950 / $14,910 |
| SLMB135 | $1,816/mo | $2,455/mo | $9,950 / $14,910 |
| QDWI | $5,405/mo | $7,299/mo | $4,000 / $6,000 |
Your home, one vehicle, burial plots, and up to $1,500 in designated burial funds are excluded from the asset count. Retirement accounts in periodic payment status are also excluded — only the monthly payout counts as income.
The Extra Help Bonus
Getting approved for any MSP tier in New Hampshire automatically qualifies you for Full Extra Help (the Part D Low-Income Subsidy). You don't file a separate application. Extra Help eliminates your Part D deductible and drops prescription copays to as low as $1.60 for generics. If your out-of-pocket drug costs reach $2,100 in 2026, copays drop to $0 for the rest of the year.
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How to Apply
DHHS accepts applications three ways:
- Online through the NH EASY portal at nheasy.nh.gov
- Paper using Form 800, submitted to any DHHS District Office
- Phone by calling 1-844-275-3447 (1-844-ASK-DHHS)
Processing takes up to 45 days. QMB coverage starts the first day of the month after approval. SLMB and SLMB135 can reimburse Part B premiums retroactively for up to three months before your application.
Getting the Full Picture
The application process involves document collection, verification deadlines, and coordination between DHHS and Social Security — and each MSP tier has different rules for when coverage starts and what it pays. Our New Hampshire Medicare Savings Programs & Extra Help Guide walks through every step, from figuring out which tier fits your parent's income to tracking the premium refund after approval.
Get Your Free New Hampshire — Medicare Savings Program Eligibility Checklist
Download the New Hampshire — Medicare Savings Program Eligibility Checklist — a printable guide with checklists, scripts, and action plans you can start using today.