Maryland Medicaid Eligibility
Medicaid Income Limits Maryland 2024
Medicaid (also called Medical Assistance in Maryland) is a government-sponsored health insurance program that provides medical assistance to eligible low-income residents. This program is designed to ensure that individuals and families with limited financial resources have access to essential health care services.
Medicaid offers a range of benefits that cover various medical needs, including things like doctor visits, hospital stays, prescription medications, preventive care, and more. However, there are certain requirements that must be met for those applying, and income limits and rules vary for different groups of individuals.
At The Law Office of Raymond E. Brown, our attorneys specialize in Medicaid planning in Maryland. As such, we can help you determine whether you are eligible for Medicaid coverage and, if so, we can help guide you through the process to ensure you receive the benefits you’re entitled to.
To speak with a Maryland Medicaid Attorney from our law firm, give us a call at (443) 554-9944 or reach out online today.
Is There an Asset Limit For Medicaid?
To make sure only those who truly need Medicaid receive these benefits, there are strict eligibility requirements that must first be met. Medicaid eligibility criteria, including income limits, can change from year to year and even within a year, and the limits and rules vary based on factors such as household size, disabilities, and other circumstances.
Anyone who qualifies for Medicaid must meet certain income limits. This includes children, parents and caretaker relatives, adults ages 19-64, and pregnant women as well as aged, blind, and disabled individuals.
Asset limits, however, only apply to certain groups of people. This includes aged, blind, or disabled individuals or anyone who requires Long Term Care.
Some individuals must also meet medical eligibility, though this only applies to certain Medicaid programs such as Long Term Care and Home and Community-Based Services Waivers.
Am I Eligible for Medicaid in Maryland?
This year, Maryland expanded Medicaid eligibility to cover a much broader range of people. If you are an adult under the age of 65 and fall at or below a certain percentage of the Federal Poverty Level, you may be eligible for Medicaid enrollment. Of course, there are further eligibility requirements.
According to the Maryland Department of Health, these are the requirements to be eligible for Maryland Medicaid:
- Must be a Maryland Resident
- Must be a U.S. citizen or non-citizen who meets immigration status requirements
- Must provide a Social Security Number (SSN)
- Must meet financial requirements
- Must meet income limits based on your circumstances and household size
*Note that those who qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are automatically eligible for Medicaid.
If you are still unsure whether or not you qualify for health coverage through Maryland Medicaid, The Law Office of Raymond E. Brown is here to help. Call today to speak with a knowledgeable Medicaid attorney on our team for legal advice and guidance.
What is the Maximum Income to Qualify for Medicaid in Maryland?
As mentioned above, if you are applying for Maryland Medicaid, you must meet certain income requirements to qualify. These “income limits” depend on certain factors, including types of individuals and household sizes.
Below, we’ll outline the income limits (as well as the asset limits and level of care required) for both single and married applicants for three different types of Medicaid: institutional/nursing home Medicaid, Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waivers, and Medicaid for aged, blind, or disabled Individuals.
Medicaid Income Limits Maryland 2024
For Single Applicants
Institutional / Nursing Home Medicaid
- Income Limit: Cannot exceed the cost of nursing home care
- Asset Limit: $2,500
- Level of Care Required: Nursing Home
Medicaid Waivers / Home and Community-Based Services
- Income Limit: $2,829 per month
- Asset Limit: $2,000
- Level of Care Required: Nursing Home
Regular Medicaid Program / Aged, Blind, and Disabled
- Income Limit: $350 per month
- Asset Limit: $2,500
- Level of Care Required: Help with ADLs
For Married Applicants (Both Spouses Applying)
Institutional/Nursing Home Medicaid
- Income Limit: Cannot exceed the cost of nursing home care
- Asset Limit: $6,000 ($3,000 per spouse for the first 6 months, then $2,500 per spouse)
- Level of Care Required: Nursing Home
Medicaid Waivers / Home and Community-Based Services
- Income Limit: $2,829 per month per spouse
- Asset Limit: $3,000
- Level of Care Required: Nursing Home
Regular Medicaid / Aged, Blind, and Disabled
- Income Limit: $392 per month
- Asset Limit: $3,000
- Level of Care Required: Help with ADLs
For Married Applicants (One Spouse Applying)
Institutional/Nursing Home Medicaid
- Income Limit: Cannot exceed the cost of nursing home care
- Asset Limit: $2,500 for applicant ($154,140 for non-applicant)
- Level of Care Required: Nursing Home
Medicaid Waivers / Home and Community-Based Services
- Income Limit: $2,829 per month for applicant
- Asset Limit: $2,000 for applicant ($154,140 for non-applicant)
- Level of Care Required: Nursing Home
Regular Medicaid / Aged, Blind, and Disabled
- Income Limit: $392 per month
- Asset Limit: $3,000 for applicant
- Level of Care Required: Help with ADLs
Maryland Medicaid Eligibility Requirements Chart
Below is a visual chart that outlines all of the information we just covered above.
How To Apply for Medicaid in Maryland
If you are a resident of Maryland and meet all eligibility requirements, you may be able to receive Medicaid benefits. Here are a few ways you can apply on your own:
- Call 1-855-642-8572
- Apply online at MarylandHealthConnection.gov
- Visit the Department of Social Services in your area
Applying for coverage can be complex, as each program has its own rules, requirements, and necessary documentation. Though you certainly aren’t required to have an attorney to apply for Medicaid benefits, without the assistance of someone with an in-depth knowledge of Maryland Medicaid’s laws, you could fail to provide the necessary information or even potentially expose yourself and your family to financial risk.
When you seek assistance from our Annapolis estate planning attorneys at The Law Office of Raymond E. Brown, we will inform you of the benefits available to you and guide you through the steps necessary to access them.
Preparing for Long-Term Care in a Nursing Home
Long-term care expenses represent a significant financial risk for the elderly, as rooms in nursing homes and assisted living facilities are extremely expensive. In Maryland, the current average annual rate for a semi-private room is around $137,000 (this does not include ancillary supplies and prescription drugs). That means an average two-year stay in a semi-private room will cost approximately 275,000 or greater. You can imagine how much more this would cost for a private room. Few have this available in their savings.
This is where The Law Office of Raymond E. Brown can help you and your family. Our Maryland elder law attorneys have been helping families in and around Anne Arundel County secure the care they need and deserve since 2017.
Give us a call at (443) 554-9944 and schedule your free initial consultation at no cost to you.
