Alignment of Medicare Savings Program Eligibility with the Medicare Part D Low Income Subsidy Program

The Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) are Medicaid programs (or categories of Medicaid eligibility) that provide payment for Medicare premiums and/or cost sharing for low-income individuals. This tip sheet details one way a state can improve the MSP eligibility determination process by aligning its MSP eligibility criteria with those used for the Medicare Part D Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) program to facilitate the use of LIS eligibility data in determining eligibility for MSPs. Aligning MSP eligibility limits allows states to more easily use the Social Security Administration’s LIS “leads” data to automate and/or streamline enrollment into MSP benefits.