Wyoming Qualifying Individual Program
What the QI Program Covers
The Qualifying Individual program is the highest-income tier of Wyoming's Medicare Savings Programs. Like SLMB, it pays the Medicare Part B premium — nothing more, nothing less. But it reaches people whose income is too high for SLMB.
For someone receiving around $1,700 a month in Social Security, the standard 2026 Part B premium of $202.90 represents more than 10% of their income. QI eliminates that cost. It also automatically qualifies the enrollee for Extra Help, which reduces Part D prescription copays to roughly $5 for generics.
Income and Asset Limits for QI
QI covers Medicare beneficiaries with countable income between 120% and 135% of the Federal Poverty Level. For 2026 in Wyoming, the countable income limit is approximately $1,816 per month for an individual and $2,453 for a married couple.
Wyoming applies the standard $20 unearned income disregard. Someone receiving $1,830 gross from Social Security has countable income of $1,810 — under the limit.
Asset limits match the other MSP tiers: $9,950 individual, $14,910 couple. Home, vehicle, burial plots, and designated burial funds are exempt. No transfer penalties apply.
How QI Differs from SLMB
The coverage is identical — Part B premium only. The difference is the income band. SLMB covers 100% to 120% FPL; QI covers 120% to 135% FPL.
One structural difference: QI is funded through a federal block grant to states, not an open-ended entitlement, and is subject to an annual federal capped appropriation.
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Retroactive Coverage
Like SLMB, QI coverage can start retroactively — from the first day of the application month and up to three months prior, as long as the applicant met all criteria during those earlier months. This makes filing promptly worthwhile because those back-months mean retroactive Part B premium refunds.
Applying for QI in Wyoming
The same application covers all MSP tiers. The Wyoming Department of Health Customer Service Center determines which tier the applicant qualifies for based on the income and asset figures submitted. Apply through wesystem.wyo.gov, call 1-855-294-2127, or submit a paper application.
If your parent earns slightly above the QI limit, they may still qualify for standalone Extra Help through SSA, which reduces prescription costs even without MSP enrollment. The Wyoming Medicare Savings Programs & Extra Help Guide includes a side-by-side comparison of all tiers and an income worksheet to identify the right program.
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