Side by side
| MQB-Q (QMB) | MQB-B (SLMB) | MQB-E (QI) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Countable income, share of the poverty level | Up to 100% | Over 100%, up to 120% | Over 120%, up to 135% |
| Resource limit (one person / couple) | $9,950 / $14,910 | $9,950 / $14,910 | $9,950 / $14,910 |
| Part B premium | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Part A premium (if you owe one) | Yes | No | No |
| Medicare deductibles and coinsurance | Yes | No | No |
| Medicaid card | Yes | No | No |
| Backdating | Never; starts the month after the decision | Up to 3 months | Up to 3 months, not before January of this year |
| With full NC Medicaid? | Can combine | Can combine | No |
The Part B premium is $202.90 a month in 2026, so every program saves at least $2,434.80 a year. MQB-Q also covers the Part B deductible ($283) and the Part A hospital deductible ($1,736 per benefit period).
North Carolina details that matter
- The limits are set in percentages. NC Medicaid's chart MA-2252 lists the monthly amounts for each household size, updated each April 1. The county compares your countable income after small exclusions, and it counts only about half of wages.
- MQB-E money is capped. Federal funding for QI is a fixed amount each year, and NC Medicaid approves MQB-E first come, first served. It tells counties to stop approving if the money runs out.
- QMB has extra billing protection. Providers who take Medicare may not bill MQB-Q members for Medicare cost sharing; see Can a doctor bill me if I have QMB in North Carolina?
- None of them is managed care. G.S. 108D-40 keeps MQB-only members out of NC Medicaid's health plans.
You don't pick a program: you apply once through ePASS or your county DSS, and the county places you in the one your income fits. All three come with Extra Help for Part D. To see where you might land, try the savings programs screener. For questions about your Medicare plan choices once you're approved, you can request a call from a licensed insurance agent.
Related questions
What is MQB in North Carolina Medicaid?
The NC names explained.
What are the Medicare Savings Program income limits in North Carolina?
How income is counted.
How do I apply for a Medicare Savings Program in North Carolina?
Steps and papers.
Sources
- NC Medicaid — MA-2130, Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries - Q (PDF)
- NC Medicaid — MA-2140, Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries - B (PDF)
- NC Medicaid — MA-2160, Qualified Individual 1 (MQB-E) (PDF)
- NC Medicaid — MA-2252, Non-MAGI Medicaid Income/Reserve Limits (PDF)
- Medicare.gov — Medicare Savings Programs
More questions in this guide
- Can a doctor bill me if I have QMB in North Carolina?
- How do I apply for a Medicare Savings Program in North Carolina?
- How do I apply for Extra Help in North Carolina?
- What are the Medicare Savings Program income limits in North Carolina?
- What assets count for Medicare Savings Programs in North Carolina?
- What is MQB in North Carolina Medicaid?
Part of the guide: Medicare Savings Programs in North Carolina · All questions
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, QMB or SLMB?
QMB (MQB-Q in North Carolina) pays more: Medicare deductibles and coinsurance as well as premiums. Which one you get depends on your countable income; the county places you in the program your income fits.
Can I have QI and full NC Medicaid?
No. NC Medicaid's manual says a person on MQB-E (QI) can't be eligible for any other Medicaid program at the same time. MQB-Q and MQB-B can be combined with full NC Medicaid.
Do I need Part A for SLMB or QI in North Carolina?
Yes. NC Medicaid's manual requires Part A enrollment for MQB-B and MQB-E. MQB-Q requires Part A and Part B, and NC Medicaid can pay the Part A premium for MQB-Q members who don't get premium-free Part A.
Medicare in your North Carolina county
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