SLMB and QI in Arkansas: Who Qualifies and What They Cover

What SLMB and QI Cover

Both SLMB (Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary) and QI (Qualifying Individual) do one thing: pay the Medicare Part B premium. In 2026, that's at least $202.90 per month — $2,434.80 per year that goes back into your parent's Social Security check.

Neither program covers deductibles, coinsurance, or copayments. That's what separates them from QMB, which covers everything. But for families whose income sits above the QMB ceiling, SLMB and QI still deliver meaningful financial relief.

Both programs also automatically trigger Extra Help for Part D prescription drugs, dropping copays to $4.90 for generics and $12.65 for brand-name medications with no separate application.

How SLMB and QI Are Different

The two programs sit in adjacent income bands with the same asset limits:

SLMB (100–120% FPL): $1,350.01–$1,616/month individual · $1,824.01–$2,184 couple

QI (120–135% FPL): $1,616.01–$1,816/month individual · $2,184.01–$2,455 couple

Asset limits for both: $9,950 individual, $14,910 couple.

The key structural difference: QI has a capped federal allocation. Congress funds QI as a fixed annual budget rather than an entitlement. In practice, this means QI operates on a first-come, first-served basis within each state's allotment. Arkansas has historically received sufficient funding to cover all eligible applicants, but the allocation structure means applying early in the calendar year is better than waiting.

Another important distinction: QI is mutually exclusive with Medicaid. If your parent qualifies for full Arkansas Medicaid (through ARSeniors or another pathway), they can't also receive QI. DHS would transition them to QMB-Plus or SLMB-Plus instead. SLMB has no such restriction.

Retroactive Coverage

Unlike QMB, which starts strictly on the first of the month after approval, both SLMB and QI can be retroactive. If your parent met all eligibility requirements during the three months before their application date, DHS can backdate coverage to cover those months' Part B premiums too.

This means the refund from SSA could cover up to three months of premiums paid before application plus the months between application and when SSA stops the deduction — a total reimbursement that can reach $1,000 or more.

How to Apply

The application process is the same for all three Medicare Savings Programs. Apply at access.arkansas.gov, at any county DHS office, or by phone at 1-855-372-1084. DHS determines which program your parent qualifies for based on their income — you don't need to specify QMB vs. SLMB vs. QI when applying.

For the full breakdown of SLMB and QI in Arkansas — including how to handle renewals, what happens if income changes, and how to appeal a denial — the Arkansas Medicare Savings Programs & Extra Help Guide covers the complete process.

See more Arkansas guides →