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North Carolina Medicare Savings Program income limits (2026)

In 2026, a single person in North Carolina can have up to $1,350 a month for MQB-Q and up to $1,816 for MQB-E. For a married couple the limits are $1,824 and $2,455. These are the federal limits.

Household

Gross Social Security or disability (before Part B comes out), pensions, interest.

Gross pay. The first $65 and half the rest don’t count.

Checking, savings, stocks and bonds. The home, one car and up to $1,500 each for burial don’t count.

North Carolina monthly income limits · single

MQB-Q$1,350
MQB-B$1,616
MQB-E$1,816
Asset limit$9,950

2026 limits, which include each state’s income disregard. States switch to new limits each spring when the poverty guidelines update.

The result shows up here

Choose the client’s state and enter their monthly income to see whether they may qualify for QMB, SLMB or QI, what the program pays, and how close they are to the limit.

Quote the plans that fit

Dual-eligible clients often fit a D-SNP, and QMB clients rarely need extra cost-sharing coverage. Quote Medicare Advantage, D-SNPs and Medigap in QuoteDeck and send the client one link.

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North Carolina QMB, SLMB and QI limits for 2026

ProgramSingleMarried
MQB-QPart A and B premiums, deductibles, coinsurance and copays$1,350/mo$1,824/mo
MQB-BPart B premium$1,616/mo$2,184/mo
MQB-EPart B premium$1,816/mo$2,455/mo
Asset limit$9,950$14,910

Countable savings can be up to the federal limit of $9,950 for one person or $14,910 for a married couple.

What’s different in North Carolina

  • North Carolina uses the federal income limits: 100%, 120% and 135% of the poverty line plus the $20 disregard.
  • Program names in North Carolina: MQB-Q is QMB; MQB-B is SLMB; MQB-E is QI.
  • Clients under 65 who have Medicare because of a disability can qualify under the same limits.

Examples for a single client in North Carolina

  • $1,200 a month: likely MQB-Q, which pays the Part A and B premiums, deductibles, coinsurance and copays.
  • $1,475 a month: likely MQB-B, which pays the Part B premium.
  • $1,700 a month: likely MQB-E, which pays the Part B premium.
  • $2,000 a month: above the limits. Check Extra Help for Part D, and whether any income may not count.

Every level pays the $202.90 monthly Part B premium, worth about $2,435 a year.

Questions agents ask

What is the 2026 QMB income limit in North Carolina?
$1,350 a month for one person or $1,824 for a married couple, including the income disregard.
Does North Carolina have an asset limit for Medicare Savings Programs?
Countable savings can be up to the federal limit of $9,950 for one person or $14,910 for a married couple.
What is the highest income that qualifies for a Medicare Savings Program in North Carolina?
$1,816 a month for one person or $2,455 for a married couple, for MQB-E. Above that, the client may still qualify for Extra Help with Part D costs.
How does someone apply in North Carolina?
Through the North Carolina Medicaid agency. Applying for Extra Help through Social Security also sends the information to the state to start a Medicare Savings Program application.

This is a screening estimate, not a Medicaid decision. The North Carolina Medicaid agency makes the final call and may switch to new limits in the spring. See limits for every state.

Sources: NCOA: MSP eligibility and coverage (2026), Medicare.gov: Medicare Savings Programs.