There is a Fix!

The income limit for Medicaid to the “Aged, Blind, and Disabled” should be set at the same income standard used for all other adults on Medicaid.

WHY?

1) It will reduce the number of people who have to grapple with the spend down program, and protect Medicaid coverage for persons on Medicare Part D who cannot count the cost of prescription drugs toward their Medicaid spend down*.
2) "Aged, blind and disabled" adults have health care needs so serious that the loss of Medicaid coverage can mean life or death.
3) Vulnerable elders & persons with disabilities must not be left behind as the state expands access to health care. There is no justification to have different income standards for different populations.

When vulnerable people who are already poor have to pay for expensive medical services to meet their Medicaid spend-downs, many forgo needed services, their health deteriorates, and more intensive services are required.

Contact the Keep the Promise Coalition at 800-215-3021 for more information.

* The spend-down program applies to “Aged, Blind, and Disabled” persons who are eligible for Medicaid. They must incur enough medical bills within a six month period to “spend down” to qualify for Medicaid. The income limits are currently at ~ 60-70% of the Federal Poverty Level ($491.92 per month or $593.45 for Fairfield County). By comparison, the income limit for adults on HUSKY is 185% of the FPL.