Need answers...just notified of Medicaid cut next month!

[schmuls]

Hello. I need some answers. Has anyone recently been cut off of Medicaid because they make too much money? My husband gets a small pension check and a small SSDI check. He was just notified that he makes $600.00 + too much a month. He did not receive any increase in his income except for that 4% (?) SS cost of living increase. There is no way there would all of a sudden be a $600. difference. Now they are saying out of the blue that he is not eligible for Medicaid! Has anyone else been notified of this recently? Those cuts they are talking about doing have not happened yet, have they? Any answers are greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Imagine My Surprise]

1. Check this out...

some states (not sure where you live) have alternatives to Medicaid for families who make too much to qualify. In California, it's called the Healthy Families Program -- designed specfically for those who make too much to qualify for MediCal but who otherwise cannot afford health coverage for themselves and their families.

Meanwhile, I would certainly contact your Medicaid office to find out if what you got is legitimate.

You may also contact your local congressional representative's office to see if there is any alliance with your community.

Hope some of that helps. And good luck.

[nickyt]

2. schmuls, I have friends on Medicare, no one knows what the hell is

going on with these programs. I imagine you will make some calls and get to the bottom of this? I can only send your my support and best wishes - sure hope this is an easily rectified screw-up on their part. Please let us know what you find out -

[Wordie]

3. Many communities have agencies that can assist locally with issues like

yours. I'd suggest trying whatever agency runs some sort of referral service in your area, to find out if there is anyone helping people understand what's going on in a case like this. If you don't know, I'd suggest you try your local United Way (if it's not them, ask them who does referrals in your area). Another thing you might try is going to your state's online site: the medicaid site for your state. You could find out it's exact name by looking it up in the white pages: it should be listed as something like "department of health services" or "department of social and health services" (it varies per state, but the names are generally fairly similar). You might find something out there. Perhaps there has been some sort of change in the rules that will be explained on the site.

These programs are so complicated, with such byzantine rules, that it's often difficult to understand what's going on. And now with all the changes...sheesh. Having someone knowledgeable to help explain things can be really helpful. I hope it works out for you. Best of luck.

[apollo56]

4. What state are you in - each state has different levels of income

States vary about income levels like Missouri which has changed the rules recently which makes it almost impossible to receive benefits. Also, if you are married, the income from both partners count toward the income level that you are eligible. You need to talk to your state workers and find out what is the level of income and what rules have changed. Also, Medicaid will no longer pay 100% of prescriptions. The republicans have taken that away with the new Medicare drug program. I am not please since all of my medicines was paid by Medicaid but now I am in a medicare drug program and will have to pay co-payments but they will not allow us to receive anymore money. In my state, if you are single the limit is $798/month. I wish you well since it is going to get worst if Congress cuts benefits.

[Traveling_Home]

5. Your income too

Medicaid considers your income too. Depending on what kind of income you have (unearned vs. earned) and how much it is, part of your income is "deemed" as belonging to him. This isn't true for SSDI or medicare eligibility but is true for SSI and medicaid. Perhaps this is where the problem of his eligibility originates.