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Medicaid Disability Benefits

Medicaid is a federally funded, state-administered health program that assists low-income citizens in receiving proper health care. Those who are eligible may be asked to cover only a small co-payment for their medical services while the remainder of their health care costs are billed to Medicaid. Depending on the state you live in, the rules for eligibility may vary.

  1. General Income and Resources

    • Specific rules for eligibility for each state, but there are general requirements that one must meet to qualify for benefits. Income and resources will be reviewed, including bank accounts, real property or other items that can be sold for cash. Each state sets its own federal poverty level, which also determines whether or not the applicant's income is Medicaid-eligible.

    SSDI and Disabled Recipients

    • Those who are considered disabled or who receive Social Security disability income may be eligible for Medicaid. To qualify for Social Security disability benefits, you must have worked for an employer covered by Social Security. You also must have a medical condition that coincides with what Social Security considers to be a disability. Social Security considers you disabled if you cannot do work that you did before, it is decided that you cannot adjust to other work because of your medical condition and your disability has lasted or is expected to last for at least one year or to result in death. SSDI benefits are paid only for total long-term disability and the Social Security Administration will enforce that definition strictly.

      If you receive SSDI, you will automatically receive Medicaid after two years of receiving SSDI benefits.

    Types of Medicaid

    • Medicaid has two parts, one that covers hospital bills and some follow-up care, and one that covers outpatient procedures, doctor's bills, and other medical care. The hospital insurance is free because the taxes you paid while you were working covers this expense. The medical insurance, however, requires a monthly premium to receive coverage. It is priced on a sliding scale according to your income.

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