Do I qualify for Medicaid if I'm over 65?

What this means

• The rules after 65 are different from the rules for younger adults, and there are several separate doors: full Medicaid, Medicare Savings Programs, and long-term care waivers, each with its own limits.
• Your home that you live in and one car usually do not count against you in most states, which surprises many people who assume owning a home disqualifies them.
• Many states let you subtract regular medical expenses from your income, which can bring someone over the limit back under it.

What to do first

1. Call a free SHIP counselor and ask them to screen you for a Medicare Savings Program first, since the income limits are higher than for full Medicaid.
2. Apply through your state Medicaid office even if you believe you earn too much, because only they can apply the deductions.
3. Ask specifically about a medically needy or spend-down pathway if you are told you are over the limit.
4. If you need care at home, ask about the home and community based services waiver, which sometimes uses different limits.

What you'll need

• Proof of income for everyone in the household
• Bank, retirement, and life insurance statements
• Proof of citizenship or lawful status and state residency
• A record of out-of-pocket medical and prescription costs

Where to go

• Get help with Medicaid in your state: https://www.medicaid.gov/about-us/where-can-people-get-help-medicaid-chip
• Free SHIP counseling: https://www.shiphelp.org/SHIPs/
• Free legal help for older adults if you are denied: https://acl.gov/programs/protecting-rights-and-preventing-abuse/legal-help