Medicaid is a needs-based program which was created by Congress to help pay for medical care for those aged and disabled persons as well as indigent children and their caregiver relatives who meet strict eligibility criteria. It is jointly financed by the federal and state government and administered through the CT Department of Social Services. Unlike Medicare, Medicaid applicants must satisfy both the financial and non-financial eligibility requirements and the rules for establishing eligibility for Medicaid vary for a person living at home vs. a person residing in a nursing home.
Persons who meet all of the Medicaid eligibility rules, but whose income is too high are permitted to "spend down" their income to establish Medicaid eligibility for 6 month period of time. The "spend down" is similar in concept to a deductible amount in health insurance. After the person's "spend down" has been accomplished and proven, Medicaid will cover the individual's Medicaid-covered medical care for the rest of the 6 month period.
The Affordable Care Act is also changing how children and families qualify for other parts of Medicaid/HUSKY Health.
This change affects HUSKY A (Medicaid for children, parents, relative caregivers and pregnant women); and HUSKY B (non-Medicaid Children's Health Insurance Program for children and teens under age 19). For example:
The maximum income level to qualify for HUSKY A for children and parents/relative caregivers is rising from 185% to 201% of the federal poverty level.
The maximum income level to qualify for HUSKY A for pregnant women is rising from 250% to 263% of the federal poverty level.
The maximum income level to qualify for a child to qualify for subsidized coverage in HUSKY B is rising from 300% to 323% of the federal poverty level.
HUSKY C (Medicaid for the Aged/Blind/Disabled, including long-term care) is not affected by these changes.
The Department of Social Services, administering agency for Medicaid/HUSKY Health, is working with Access Health CT, the state's new health insurance marketplace, to coordinate the application process for health coverage.
Connecticut residents may apply for Medicaid/HUSKY Health at any time of the year.
Applications for Medicaid may be obtained from most nursing WCAAA facilities or from the CT Department of Social Services (DSS) regional offices. In addition, each town in Connecticut has a Municipal Agent for the Elderly, who can assist with Medicaid information and application assistance.
You can apply for Food Stamps, Medicaid for the Aged/Blind/Disabled (HUSKY C), Medicaid for Employees with Disabilities (MED-Connect) , and/or cash assistance by clicking below.
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