What Oregon's rule says
Oregon's resource rule, OAR 461-160-0015, says that for QMB, SMB and SMF (Oregon's names for QMB, SLMB and QI), "all resources are excluded." An ODHS transmittal (APD-PT-21-041) confirms the resource limits for these programs were eliminated effective January 1, 2016. ODHS's Medicare Savings Programs page says the same in plain words: there are no asset limits for these programs in Oregon.
That makes Oregon different from states that use the federal resource limits. Medicare.gov lists those as $9,950 for one person and $14,910 for a couple in 2026. In Oregon, those limits don't apply.
What counts instead
- Income. QMB is for income up to 100% of the federal poverty level, SLMB up to 120%, and QI from 120% to 135%. ODHS publishes the dollar amounts each March. See Oregon's income limits.
- Medicare Part A. You must have it.
- QI's cap. QI enrollment is limited each year, and people who qualify for other Oregon Medicaid can't get it.
Programs that still have asset limits
| Program | Asset test in Oregon? |
|---|---|
| QMB, SLMB (SMB), QI (SMF) | No |
| QDWI (QMB-DW) | Yes (OAR 461-160-0015) |
| Full OHP for people 65+ or with disabilities (OSIPM) | Yes (OAR 461-160-0015) |
| Medicaid long-term care | Yes; couples get a resource assessment |
| Extra Help, if you apply on your own | Yes: $18,090 for one person in 2026, counting burial funds |
Why this matters
If your income is low but you have savings, you may have assumed you can't get help. In Oregon, a Medicare Savings Program looks only at income. And because Medicare Savings Program members get Extra Help automatically, Oregon's rule can also open the door to lower Part D costs even if your savings are above Extra Help's own limit.
Apply at one.oregon.gov or call 1-800-699-9075 (TTY 711). To see how your Medicare coverage fits once you're approved, you can request a call from a licensed insurance agent.
Related questions
What are Oregon's income limits?
Percent of poverty, updated each March.
How do I apply?
ONE, by phone or in person.
Will Oregon take my house?
Estate recovery explained.
Sources
- Oregon Department of Human Services — Medicare Savings Programs
- Oregon Department of Human Services — Transmittal APD-PT-21-041
- Oregon Administrative Rules — OAR 461-160-0015, resource limits
- Medicare.gov — Medicare Savings Programs
- Medicare.gov — Help with drug costs (Extra Help)
More questions in this guide
- Will Oregon take my house if I get help paying for Medicare?
- How do I apply for a Medicare Savings Program in Oregon?
- How do I get Extra Help paying for prescription drugs in Oregon?
- What are the Oregon Medicare Savings Program income limits?
Part of the guide: Medicare Savings Programs in Oregon · All questions
Frequently asked questions
Does the no-asset rule apply to QDWI?
No. Oregon's rule keeps a resource limit for the Qualified Disabled Working Individual program (QMB-DW). It applies only to QMB, SLMB and QI.
Will my savings stop me from getting Extra Help?
Not if you qualify for a Medicare Savings Program. Medicare.gov says people in a Medicare Savings Program get Extra Help automatically, without a separate resource test.
Does full OHP have an asset limit for people with Medicare?
Yes. Medicaid for people 65 and older or with disabilities (OSIPM) and Medicaid long-term care have resource limits under OAR 461-160-0015. ODHS can tell you the current amounts.
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