This article is a section taken from MA for People Who Are Age 65 or Older or People Who Are Blind or Have a Disability (MA-ABD), a part of the revisions and additions to the Minnesota Health Care Program Eligibility Policy Manual.
Income Limits
To be eligible for Medical Assistance (MA) for People Who Are Age 65 or Older and People Who Are Blind or Have a Disability (MA-ABD), a person’s income must be less than or equal to the applicable income limit. Income limits are based on federal poverty guidelines.
Federal Poverty Guidelines
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issues federal poverty guidelines (FPG) each year. New guidelines are used beginning each July 1.
These guidelines determine income eligibility for MA-ABD. A person’s applicable income limit is based on many factors, including, but not limited to:
- The basis of eligibility for MA
- The number of people included in the household size
- Whether the person has a medical spenddown for MA
Income Limit for MA-ABD
People must have income that is less than or equal to 100% FPG to be eligible MA-ABD. Refer to Minnesota Insurance Affordability Programs Income and Asset Guidelines (DHS-3461A) for information about household size and income limits.
MA for Employed Persons with Disabilities (MA-EPD) has no income limit. See the MA-EPD subchapter for more information.
A child enrolled in the MA TEFRA Option has an income limit of 100% FPG. See the MA under the TEFRA Option subchapter for more information.
There is no income limit for MA eligibility under MA Minnesota Supplemental Aid (MSA) and MA 1619(a) or 1619(b). See the MA-MSA or MA 1619(a) or 1619(b) subchapters for more information.
Excess Income
People with one of the bases of eligibility for MA-ABD whose income exceeds 100% FPG and have medical expenses may be eligible for MA with a spenddown. See the MA-ABD Medical Spenddown policy for more information.
Legal Citations
Minnesota Statutes, section 256B.056, subdivision 1a
Minnesota Statutes, section 256B.056, subdivision 4
Minnesota Statutes, section 256B.056, subdivision 5
CREDIT: The content of this post has been copied or adopted from the Minnesota Healthcare Programs Eligibility Policy Manual, originally published by the Minnesota Department of Human Services.
This is also part of a series of posts on Minnesota Healthcare Eligibility Policies.