The three MQB programs
NC Medicaid's Aged, Blind and Disabled Medicaid Manual uses MQB for its Qualified Medicare Beneficiary programs, with a letter for each level. You'll see these names on county letters:
- MQB-Q (federal QMB): countable income up to 100% of the federal poverty level. Pays the Part B premium, any Part A premium, and Medicare deductibles and coinsurance for Medicare-covered care. Comes with a Medicaid card.
- MQB-B (federal SLMB): over 100% and up to 120%. Pays the Part B premium only.
- MQB-E (federal QI): over 120% and up to 135%. Pays the Part B premium, but only for people who don't qualify for any other NC Medicaid. Its federal funding is capped each year, so approvals are first come, first served.
All three share one resource limit: $9,950 for one person or $14,910 for a couple. The Part B premium they pay is $202.90 a month in 2026. A fourth program, M-WD (federal QDWI), pays the Part A premium for some people under 65 who lost premium-free Part A because they went back to work.
What MQB doesn't cover
NC Medicaid's manual is clear that MQB pays only toward Medicare. MQB-Q doesn't pay for services Medicare doesn't cover, such as eyeglasses and dental care, and MQB members don't qualify for Medicaid's non-emergency medical transportation. If you need those, ask the county to check you for full NC Medicaid too; the manual says caseworkers must evaluate every MQB applicant for all Medicaid programs.
When MQB starts
MQB-Q starts the first day of the month after the county decides your case and can never be backdated. MQB-B and MQB-E can cover up to three months before the month you apply, if you qualified then (for MQB-E, never before January of the current year). Apply online through ePASS or with your county DSS. Help from MQB alone isn't recovered from your estate under federal law.
With MQB and the Extra Help that comes with it, you have more chances to change drug coverage during the year. To compare Medicare plans from the companies they work with, you can request a call from a licensed insurance agent. The full guide is Medicare Savings Programs in North Carolina.
Related questions
QMB vs. SLMB vs. QI in North Carolina
Side by side.
What are the Medicare Savings Program income limits in North Carolina?
Percent of the poverty level.
Can a doctor bill me if I have QMB in North Carolina?
Your billing protection.
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)
- North Carolina General Statutes — G.S. 108D-40
- 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?
- QMB vs. SLMB vs. QI in North Carolina
- What are the Medicare Savings Program income limits in North Carolina?
- What assets count for Medicare Savings Programs in North Carolina?
Part of the guide: Medicare Savings Programs in North Carolina · All questions
Frequently asked questions
Is MQB the same as full NC Medicaid?
No. MQB pays only Medicare premiums and, for MQB-Q, Medicare cost sharing. It doesn't cover dental care, glasses or Medicaid rides. You can have MQB-Q or MQB-B together with full NC Medicaid if you qualify for both; MQB-E can't be combined with other Medicaid.
Will I get a Medicaid card with MQB?
With MQB-Q, yes: NC Medicaid's manual says MQB-Q members get a Medicaid card. MQB-B and MQB-E members don't get one.
Does MQB put me in an NC Medicaid health plan?
No. Under G.S. 108D-40, people whose Medicaid only pays Medicare premiums and cost sharing are excluded from NC Medicaid's managed care health plans and stay in NC Medicaid Direct.
Do I get Extra Help with MQB?
Yes. Anyone approved for MQB-Q, MQB-B or MQB-E gets Extra Help with Part D drug costs automatically.
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