Wisconsin SLMB and SLMB+ Programs: What They Cover and Who Qualifies

SLMB vs SLMB+ — Wisconsin's Naming Convention

Wisconsin uses different names than most states for its Medicare Savings Program tiers above QMB. What the federal government calls the "Qualifying Individual (QI)" program, Wisconsin calls SLMB+ (Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary Plus). If you search for "QI program Wisconsin" and find nothing, that's why — the state labels it SLMB+.

Both SLMB and SLMB+ pay only the Part B premium ($202.90/month in 2026). Neither covers deductibles, coinsurance, or copayments the way QMB does. But both trigger automatic full Extra Help for Part D prescriptions.

2026 Income Limits

Wisconsin starts from gross income (before the Part B deduction), applies the $20 disregard to unearned income, and compares countable income with the published limits. Asset limits and exempt resources are the same as QMB.

The Key SLMB+ Restriction

SLMB+ is mutually exclusive with full-benefit Medicaid in Wisconsin. If your parent qualifies for both full Medicaid (EBD Medicaid, Family Care, or IRIS) and SLMB+, the Income Maintenance worker must assign them to full Medicaid or a higher MSP tier instead. Because the federal government funds SLMB+ through a capped block grant, Wisconsin allocates spots on a first-come, first-served basis and prioritizes existing enrollees at renewal.

This restriction does not apply to regular SLMB. Someone can hold SLMB and full Medicaid simultaneously.

How SLMB and SLMB+ Differ from QMB

The retroactive coverage is a significant advantage. If your parent was eligible during the three months before applying, SLMB and SLMB+ benefits reach back and cover Part B premiums for those months. QMB, by contrast, is strictly prospective — it starts the month after approval.

How to Apply

Same process as QMB: apply through the ACCESS portal at access.wi.gov or submit paper Form F-10182 with Attachment 8 to your county's Income Maintenance consortium. The agency must process the application within 30 calendar days, or up to 45 days if a disability determination is required.

After approval, SSA stops the Part B deduction from the Social Security check and issues a refund for premiums paid during the coverage period. That refund typically takes 60 to 90 days from state approval.

Which Tier Fits

What SLMB and SLMB+ Don't Cover

Neither program pays Medicare deductibles, coinsurance, or copayments. If your parent has Original Medicare (not a Medicare Advantage plan), they still owe the Part B deductible and the 20% coinsurance on outpatient services. A Medigap plan or Medicare Advantage plan with low cost-sharing handles that gap — the SLMB/SLMB+ benefit is strictly the Part B premium.

For prescription costs, the automatic Extra Help triggered by any MSP tier is the real value-add. The $5.10/$12.65 copays and $2,100 annual ceiling apply to both SLMB and SLMB+ enrollees, same as QMB.

If countable monthly income after applicable disregards is at or below $1,350 (single), check QMB first — it covers far more. Between $1,351 and $1,616, SLMB applies. Between $1,617 and $1,816, SLMB+ applies. The Wisconsin Medicare Savings guide includes an income worksheet that runs through the disregard math and identifies the right tier.

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