Medicaid Eligibility
by
Herbert D. Hinkle, Esq. and Valerie A. Powers Smith,
Esq.
Hinkle,
Fingles & Prior, Attorneys at Law
2651 Main Street
Lawrenceville, New Jersey 08648
(609) 896-4200 or (215) 860-2100
This is the first of a series of articles which
discuss the different ways to obtain Medicaid in New
Jersey.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is
administered through the Social Security
Administration and provides cash to individuals who
meet the income (approximately $600/month for
individuals & $800/month for couples) and resource (up
to $2,000 for individuals & $3,000 for couples)
limits. Everyone receiving SSI is automatically given
Medicaid.
Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC)
provides full Medicaid coverage to low income
families. Under AFDC, a family of four can earn no
more than $507 per month.
The Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis & Treatment
(EPSDT) Program is Medicaid’s comprehensive and
preventive health program for children under age 21.
To receive services under EPSDT, one must be under the
age of 21 and the services must be medically necessary
as recommended by a treating physician.
New Jersey Care Special Medicaid Program serves
the aged, blind and disabled population and provides
medical coverage to those who meet the income
($798/month for individuals & $1,070/month for
couples) and resource ($4,000 for individuals & $6,000
for couples) limits.
Medically Needy has two programs: Children &
Pregnant Women and Aged, Blind or Disabled
(ABD). Both programs feature a spend down
provision in which medical expenses can be used to
offset monthly income in order to meet program
limitations. The Children & Pregnant Women program
provides limited medical coverage to children under 21
who are not eligible under other Medicaid programs due
to income and resources. The program limit for income
is $367/month for individuals and up to $4,000 for
resources. The ABD program is a Special
Medicaid Program that provides limited coverage to
aged or disabled individuals who are disqualified for
other Medicaid programs due to their income and
resources. The program limit for income is $367/month
for individuals and $434/month for couples. The
resource limit is up to $4,000 for individuals and
$6,000 for couples.
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Hinkle,
Fingles, & Prior maintains a multi-state law practice
with offices in Lawrenceville, Marlton, and Florham
Park, New Jersey, and Yardley, and Plymouth Meeting,
Pennsylvania. They lecture and write frequently on
topics of law, aging, disability and estate planning
and are available
to speak to groups in New Jersey
and Pennsylvania at no charge.
Comments
and suggestions for future articles should be mailed
to: Hinkle, Fingles & Prior, Attorneys at Law,
2651 Main Street, Suite A, Lawrenceville, New Jersey
08648-1012.
Copyright
2007 Herbert D. Hinkle. All rights reserved.
