Medicaid Expansion 2023: What You Need to Know About Changes and Eligibility in New York

Applying for Medicaid benefits can be a complex process, with various factors affecting eligibility. However, recent changes in Medicaid expansion 2023 state law are opening up access to Medicaid for more New Yorkers than ever before.

Many individuals often find themselves disappointed to discover that their earnings or resources exceed the eligibility requirements for state-sponsored nursing home benefits. (Photo: Health News)

 New York State Medicaid Expansion 2023

Effective January 1, 2023, New York State is implementing Medicaid expansion 2023 coverage to include a broader range of residents, specifically those who are blind, disabled, or over the age of 65, a news article reported.

While this Medicaid expansion 2023 brings about significant changes to Medicaid rules, it is important for applicants to understand how the new limits work and how they may impact their application.

In cases where an applicant’s assets exceed the allowable limits, seeking guidance from a Medicaid planning attorney is advisable.

One of the key improvements in the Medicaid expansion 2023 is the higher income and resource limits for applicants. These adjustments enable a larger number of individuals in New York to qualify for vital home care services or long-term care benefits.

In the past, some recipients lost their Medicaid benefits when they became eligible for Medicare due to conflicting eligibility requirements.

To address this issue, the Medicaid expansion 2023 ensures that income limits are standardized across Medicaid recipients, regardless of their age or Medicare status.

READ ALSO: Medicaid Work Requirements – Here’s What You Need To Know!

Medicaid Expansion 2023 Additional Modifications

If you are contemplating the application for long-term care benefits under Medicaid expansion 2023, there are several additional modifications that could impact your eligibility:

Spend-down suspension: Depending on your demographic, you may no longer be required to spend down your income to meet the eligibility criteria or the amount you need to spend down may be significantly reduced.

Increased income limit: The income eligibility criteria for Medicaid Expansion 2023 in New York State now set the maximum earnings at 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).

This implies that individuals who apply for Medicaid can have a monthly income of up to $1,677 ($20,121 per year), while couples can have a monthly income of up to $2,268 ($27,214 per year) without putting their benefits at risk.

More allowable resources: The resource limit for Medicaid recipients has also been raised.

Individuals can now possess up to $28,133 in resources, while couples can have up to $37,902, marking an increase of over ten thousand dollars in assets compared to the previous year.

Increased resource limits for specialized programs: The resource limits for the Medicaid Buy-In Program for Working People with Disabilities (MBI-WPD) have been raised as well.

Individuals can now have up to $28,133 in resources, while couples can have up to $37,902.

Medicare Savings Program (MSP): The Medicare Savings Program (MSP) has undergone a reorganization, bringing about enhancements to this initiative that assists with Medicare-related expenses like Part B premiums.

It has been split into two groups: Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries (QMB) and Qualifying Individuals (QI).

The QMB program offers more comprehensive coverage, including the recipient’s Part B premium, as well as coverage for all co-pays, coinsurance, and deductibles. This represents significant savings compared to the now-defunct Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) program.

Medicare savings now come with higher income limits: Individuals can now earn up to $1,563 and couples up to $2,106 to qualify for the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program.

For the Qualifying Individuals (QI) program, the income limits have been raised to $2,107 for individuals and $2,839 for couples. It is anticipated that the maximum income thresholds for these programs will likely see further increases later this year.

If you are currently receiving Medicaid benefits, the Department of Health should have sent you a letter notifying you whether you still need to spend down your income.  If you are not currently a Medicaid recipient but are contemplating applying, our legal team can assess your eligibility and assist you in completing and submitting your Medicaid application.

READ ALSO: Medicaid Disenrollments Leave Nearly One Million Americans Without Healthcare Coverage As COVID-19 Rule Expires