In some cases, Medicaid can have monthly income eligibility requirements. These income limits are determined in most states by the federal poverty level. Many Medicaid programs are also tailored towards specific groups, like pregnant women, children in foster care, people with disabilities, or people needing nursing home care. Medicaid expansion in many states has allowed people of various household sizes and demographics to utilize Medicaid benefits for their health coverage. There are many different types of Medicaid programs, each with different eligibility requirements. Some Medicaid programs have strict income limits, some have strict asset limits, and some have both income and asset limits. For example, waiver programs like Home and Community Based Services have both an income and and asset limit. For some programs which have income limits, a person with higher income may utilize a spend down program, or excess income can be directed to a Miller Trust.
There is no monthly income limit for vendor Medicaid care, also known as nursing home care Medicaid or long-term care Medicaid. However, recipients of vendor Medicaid must pay most of their monthly income to the long-term care facility as a copayment. This includes Social Security income, like retirement benefits and supplemental security income (SSI), as well as pensions. There are exceptions for Medicare premiums and other health insurance premiums for prescription drug coverage, allowing Medicare to be used as a coinsurance. There is also a small personal needs allowance taken out of one’s income before it is paid to the nursing facility. Applications for vendor Medicaid care are complicated and tedious, therefore, it is recommended to seek legal advice from an elder care attorney licensed in your state. Quality Medicaid Care is a firm licensed in Missouri that can help determine Medicaid eligibility for your family member who may be seeking nursing home care.