I just got increase in food stamps, will Medicaid stop paying for Medicare

Q) I just got an increase in the amount of food stamps I receive. Now will Medicaid stop paying for my Medicare premium? I am in North Carolina

A) It is possible that Medicaid will stop paying for your Medicare premium if your income increases. Medicaid in North Carolina has a program called the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Program. The QMB Program pays the Medicare Part A premium for people with limited income and resources.

If your income increases to the point where you are no longer eligible for the QMB Program, you will be responsible for paying the Medicare Part A premium yourself. The Medicare Part A premium is $148.50 per month in 2023.

You can check your eligibility for the QMB Program online or by calling the North Carolina Division of Health and Human Services at 1-800-662-7030.

If you are no longer eligible for the QMB Program, you may be eligible for other programs that can help you pay for your Medicare premium. You can find more information about these programs on the Medicare website.