Short answer: QI is funded on a first-come, first-served basis, so the person must apply every year, with priority going to people who had QI the year before. QI can’t be combined with any other Medicaid coverage.
Medicare.gov’s rules for the Qualifying Individual (QI) program:
- The person must apply every year to stay in it.
- States approve applications first-come, first-served, giving priority to people who had QI the previous year.
- QI is only for people who don’t qualify for any other Medicaid coverage or benefits.
The Texas HHSC handbook says the same: a person can’t be certified for QI-1 and any other Medicaid-funded program at the same time. By contrast, Texas allows QMB or SLMB alongside certain other Medicaid programs.
QI pays only the Part B premium ($202.90 per month standard in 2026), and it still brings automatic full Extra Help. Put the renewal on the person’s calendar so the premium help doesn’t lapse.
Sources
Medicare.gov, Medicare Savings Programsmedicare.gov/basics/costs/help/medicare-savings-programsTexas HHSC MEPD Handbook A-8300, Qualifying Individuals (archived)web.archive.org/web/20260402150027/https://www.hhs.texas.gov/handbooks/medicaid-elderly-people-disabilities-handbook/a-8300-qualifying-individualsTexas HHSC MEPD Handbook A-8200, SLMB (archived)web.archive.org/web/20251031191624/https://www.hhs.texas.gov/handbooks/medicaid-elderly-people-disabilities-handbook/a-8200-specified-low-income-medicare-beneficiariesCMS fact sheet, 2026 Medicare Parts A and B Premiums and Deductiblescms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2026-medicare-parts-b-premiums-deductibles