Medicaid is a government healthcare plan available based on need. To determine eligibility, the state will assess your parent’s income and assets.
For many seniors, their assets will put them over the threshold, making them ineligible for this program. However, New York has the Medicaid Excess Income Program, which may allow them to qualify for the coverage.
The basics
The Medicaid Excess incomes Program allows you to show that your medical bills exceed the amount of money you are over the income guidelines. For example, if you make $200 more than the income limit but can show that your medical bills will eat up that $200, then you may be eligible for the program. If you qualify, Medicaid will pay the bills that exceed your excess income.
Qualification
You will need to contact the social services office and let them know you want to be in the program. Seniors must be at least 65 or older or have a certified disability. If a senior has a child under the age of 21, they also qualify. You cannot have regular Medicaid, and you must be able to show proof of your medical expenses. You will have to send those into the office every month.
You do not have to participate every month. You simply need to send in bills for months in which your medical expenses exceed your excess income amount. There is no need to reapply or keep alerting the office that you want to participate. Keep in mind that Medicaid will pay your medical expenses for the remainder of the month under the program once you prove your expenses have gone over your excess income, so try to reach the limit early in the month.