The Ticket to Work Health Assurance Program (TWHA) provides Medicaid health coverage for disabled people ages 16-64 who still wish to work. The TWHA program provides coverage without a spend down as long as the enrollee’s countable income is less than 250% of the federal poverty level (FPL). If the disabled worker’s income is higher than 100% of the federal poverty level, they must pay a monthly premium for their medical care. While most recipients pay health insurance premiums, the plan has no deductible and low co-pays. Countable income includes earned income like wages, as well as Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and pensions. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) does not count towards the income limit. TWHA has a different income limit than MO HealthNet for the Disabled, which allows people with disabilities to qualify for coverage even if their earnings put them above the substantial gainful activity limit. Although the program does not require recipients to be low-income, there is an asset limit of approximately $6,000 for a single person. This limit disregards the house the recipient lives in, the car they drive, and money in ABLE accounts, but it does not exclude retirement accounts, life insurance, and bank accounts. To qualify medically, a person must have a physical or mental impairment, or combination of impairments that have lasted or are expected to last at least 12 months.
For more information regarding the Ticket to Work Health Assurance Program, please visit Medicaid.gov or your local area’s Medicaid website.