The value and use of the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary Program: early evidence from Tennessee

The Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Program eliminated the out-of-pocket costs of obtaining health care services under the Medicare program for some low-income beneficiaries who were previously ineligible for Medicaid. The program is underused, and little is known about its effects. The article describes the QMB Program and compares program beneficiaries with others whose out-of-pocket payments are covered by Medicaid. Using Medicare claims data covering QMBs in Tennessee, we found that the program financed a relatively high rate of use of Medicare services and saved low-income Medicare beneficiaries hundreds of dollars per month in out-of-pocket costs. Social workers can promote the program and increase the use of its covered services appropriately, thereby by maximizing its potential benefits to low-income people.