Edit... I'm not discussing a marketplace plan below just in case anyone misunderstands. I am discussing a medicaid program specifically for the aged, blind and disabled. It is a totally and completely different thing with different rules.
So for reference, I am on SSDI, have Medicare and get $1615 per month. I just moved to Maryland and applied for medicaid to see if I qualified for any medical assistance programs.
I was shocked to find out that the income limit for a single household disabled person is 325 for the ABD Medicaid program. I, of course, was denied but told that if I have $7,470 in uncovered expenses btwn now and August that I would meet a spend down and they'd cover anything over that.
Why is the income limit so low? If someone gets $325 per month SSDI, how do they live? I'm sure there's logic behind it but on the face of it, it's crazy.
Secondly, I don't understand this $7470 spend down figure they're giving me through August? Are they saying if I meet that by August, I will qualify for medicaid through the rest of the year? Or are they saying they'll pay for anything over $7470 btwn now and August? How are they even arriving at that number as a spend down? I'm glad in case of an emergency there's some sort of help but 7500 is a huge spend own.
Thankfully, and gratefully, I do qualify for extra help which is huge bc my meds are extremely expensive otherwise. I'm thankful for the help I can get.