Missouri has several programs available to Missouri resident seniors and older adults in need. The programs and applications are handled through the Missouri Family Support Division (FSD) and the Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS) which administers the state’s MOHealthNet program. All Medicaid programs have asset limits, and some have income limits.
Missouri has several programs available to seniors in needs. The principal program available to seniors is the MOHealthNet Vendor Medicaid program, which provides assistance for Missouri resident seniors (U.S. citizens and qualified non-citizens) in need of nursing home care. Under Vendor Medicaid, Medicaid applicants must meet strict asset requirements; if the resident is over assets, then those assets will be subject to spend down until the resident is under the asset limit and income limit. After qualification, the resident is required to co-pay all of their household income (Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and pensions) to the nursing home and the Medicaid program will cover 100% of the remaining nursing home costs.
In addition, after qualification for Vendor Medicaid, the Medicaid beneficiary will also qualify to be a Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB), which will pay all Medicare co-pays, Medicare premiums and other payments related to healthcare coverage and medical insurance.
For seniors in need of an assisted living or other residential care facility, Medicaid does provide assistance for payment for care, but on a much more limited basis. Cash Grant Medicaid (Supplemental Nursing Care (SNC)) will provide a monthly grant (of $300 to $500/month) to assist with the senior’s monthly payment to the care facility.
Finally, Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) provide in home services for Missouri seniors in need. The qualification requirements are identical to the qualifications for Vendor nursing home Medicaid.
Missouri provides other programs for non-seniors including SNAP, MoHealthNet for pregnant woman, Medicaid for the medically needy and for people with disabilities. Missouri Medicaid is available for a wide variety of citizens in need who have limited financial resources. If necessary, investigate the possibilities for your family.
All of these programs have been in place for decades (were not part of the recent Medicaid expansion), have well-entrenched infrastructures and have assisted thousands of Missouri seniors.
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