Medicare Savings Program Expansion eff Jan 1, 2020

There are 3 Medicare Savings Programs (MSP/Buy-In): the Senior Buy-In also called QMB that pays for Medicare Pt B premiums ($144.60 in 2020) and cost-sharing for Medicare Parts A & B, and the Buy-In programs also called SLMB or QI that only cover the Medicare Part B premiums. (Despite the name "Senior" Buy-In, none of the programs have age restrictions). Effective Jan. 1, 2020 higher income & assets rules apply to the MSP/Buy-In. Medicare recipients can apply for the MSP/Buy-In programs through a simplified application form that will only determine eligibility for MSP/Buy-In not for any other MassHealth program or HSN. OR they can use the longer SACA-2 application form to apply for MassHealth, HSN and MSP; individuals using the SACA-2 who are not eligible for full MassHealth may qualify for both MSP-Buy-In and HSN. Why care about HSN? HSN can help with Medicare cost-sharing for Parts A & B at acute hospitals and CHCs for people who only qualify for the Buy-In (SLMB, QI) which pays the the Part B premium but doesn't help with Medicare cost-sharing. People who qualify for MSP/Buy-In are not subject to Part B late enrollment penalties and are automatically eligible for "extra help" to lower the costs of Medicare drug coverage.