Process by which individuals who would be eligible for Medicaid except for their monthly income subtract their medical costs from their income to get it down to or below the limits for Medicaid.
Medicaid financial eligibility requirements are strict, and may require beneficiaries to spend down/use up assets or income until they reach the eligibility level.
The procedure of liquidating assets and using the proceeds to pay for healthcare and other specific expenses in order to qualify for Medicaid benefits.
For most Medicaid eligibility categories, having countable income above a specified amount will disqualify an individual from Medicaid. However, in some eligibility categories – most notably the “medically needy†– individuals may qualify for Medicaid coverage even though their countable incomes are higher than the specified income standard by “spending down.†Under this process, the medical expenses that an individual incurs during a specified period are deducted from the individualâ€(tm)s income during that period. When the individualâ€(tm)s incurred medical expenses have been subtracted from his or her income and the difference is at or below the state-specified income standard, the individual qualifies for Medicaid benefits for the remainder of the period. See Medically Needy.
For most Medicaid eligibility categories, having countable income above a specified amount will disqualify an individual from Medicaid. However, in some eligibility categories most notably the medically needy@ individuals may qualify for Medicaid coverage even though their countable incomes are higher than the specified income standard by spending down.@ Under this process, the medical expenses that an individual incurs during a specified period are deducted from the individual= s income during that period. Once the individual= s income has been reduced to a state-specified level by subtracting incurred medical expenses, the individual qualifies for Medicaid benefits for the remainder of the period.
A way some people with higher incomes can qualify for Medicaid if they have high medical expenses.
Depleting almost all assets to meet eligibility requirements for Medicaid.
Process by which individuals qualify for Medicaid by making payments on medical bills until their income, minus the expenses they incur for medical care, falls below the state-prescribed income level to qualify for Medicaid. The amount they must "spend down" each period is determined at the time eligibility is determined.
The process whereby an individual uses up most of his or her income and assets to meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Using up all or most of your income or assets to meet Medicaid eligibility requirements. Even when this is done, what Medicaid will cover is changing, so research as many options as you can.