Anyone know? medicaid spendown?

Question

I dont really understand how this works!!! any suggestions? thanks!!!!!!!!

how this works? my spendown is $467.00 thanks for your answers!

Answer 1

First off, talk to your caseworker, it is her/his job to explain your benefits to you. In Indiana, spenddown works like this...there is a set income level for an adult to qualify for medicaid. Any amount over this level (again, within specified guidelines) is your spenddown. This is the amount that Medicaid has determined that you should be able to pay out-of-pocket. You will have to have $467 worth of charges/services with a medical provider or pharmacy before your medicaid benefits kick in (this means you will be responsible for paying the first $467 worth of office calls, lab-work, ER visits, prescriptions, etc).

Answer 2

the rules vary by state
search medicaid and find the area for your state they often can send you or you can view on line the information you need
you can also inquire through your local department of social services
it is the amount of money related to your assets your are responsible for before medicaid will pay

there is also usually a specific time period from when you file and when it kicks in
if you are middle aged or a senior citizen you may want to consult a local elder lawyer who is an expert in not only explaining but in finding ways to speed up the process and advice to protect your assets especially if you should require long term nursing care

Answer 3

Medicaid policies vary by state, but usually your spenddown is an amount that you have to spend every month before medicaid will start paying. So, you have to spend that amount out of pocket on doctor's visits, prescriptions, etc and once you've paid that amount, medicaid takes care of the rest, except copays.

Answer 4

This bugs me, too. What I understand is you would have to pay
$467 then they would give you a Medicaid card. Mine is $300+
It is kind of like the deductible in Car Insurance where you have
$500 deductible, you pay that then they pay the rest.

Answer 5

Medicaid spendown is lets say you have 10,000 you have to show where that 10,000 went in order to apply for medicaid otherwise you won't get it.