IM-172 December 12, 2002; IM-49 May 11, 1998
The Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiaries (SLMB) program became effective in Missouri on January 1, 1993. Effective January 1, 1998 it was expanded to cover two additional groups of individuals. The Social Security Act referred to the new groups as Qualifying Individuals 1 (QI-1) and Qualifying Individuals 2 (QI-2). In Missouri the expansion groups are referred to as SLMB group 2 (QI-1’s) and SLMB group 3 (QI-2’s). The original SLMB group is now be referred to as SLMB group 1.
The SLMB group 3 (QI-2) program ended December 31, 2002.
The purpose of the SLMB program is to assist certain individuals by paying their Medicare Part B premiums, or a portion of their Medicare Part B premium. SLMB group 1 pays Medicare Part B premiums for individuals with income that makes them ineligible for QMB, more than 100% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), but is less than 120% of the FPL. SLMB group 2 (QI-1) pays Medicare Part B premiums for individuals with income that makes them ineligible for SLMB group 1, but is less than 135% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). SLMB group 3 (QI-2) paid a portion of the Medicare Part B premium for individuals with income above 135% but less than 175% of the FPL.