If you are a low-income Medicare beneficiary, the Medicare Premium Assistance Programs (MPAP) may help you pay some or all of your Medicare cost-sharing expenses (premiums, copays, and coinsurance). MPAP is part of the Ohio Medicaid program. MPAP is sometimes called the “Medicare buy-in” or “Medicare savings” program. All of these names refer to four programs:
- the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program;
- the Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) program;
- the Qualified Individual-1 (QI-1) program; and
- the Qualified Working Disabled Individual (QWDI) program.
MPAP will pay different costs for you if you are eligible for one of the four programs.
In addition, if you are eligible for QMB, SLMB or QI-1, Social Security will automatically enroll you in its Extra Help program that helps with prescription drug costs.
Each program has different income limits, and other eligibility requirements. Some income and some assets are counted and different limits may apply depending on your circumstances.
You may apply for MPAP at your local County Department of Job and Family Services, sometimes called the “county welfare department” or “county Medicaid.” For the address of the nearest office, phone the Medicaid Consumer Hotline at (800) 324-8680.
If you apply, and the county says you do not qualify, then seek advice and appeal if you disagree with the county’s decision. Legal Aid may be able to help you.
This information was updated in April 2024.