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Fast Facts MEDICAID BUY-IN What is the Medicaid Buy-In Option?Federal law gives states the option of providing Medicaid health insurance coverage to working individuals with disabilities who do not qualify for Medicaid under existing income and asset rules. With the Buy-In, a person pays a premium for coverage; the size of the premium is based on the amount of the person’s income. Currently, Ohio does not offer this option.Why does Ohio need MBI?People with disabilities often are discouraged from working because increasing their earnings makes them ineligible for Medicaid and the coverage they need for acute and long-term support services.In order to keep their Medicaid eligibility, these people may stop working or reduce their work hours because they cannot afford to pay for all their medical services. Having a Medicaid Buy-In program in Ohio will reduce the unemployment rate among people with disabilities by 70%. Who would be eligible?People with disabilities between the ages of 16 and 64 who are eligible for Supplemental Security Income except that their income is too high would be eligible. Ohio could adjust the asset and income limits to determine how many people would benefit from this option.In addition, Ohioans with disabilities whose medical conditions have improved, but who still have severe medical impairments, also could be eligible. How do we get a Medicaid Buy-In Option in Ohio?
Action to dateTwenty-five state have adopted a Medicaid Buy-In option, providing a track record of its benefits.The DD Council completed a preliminary study of the cost to implement a Medicaid Buy-In plan. A legislative committee recommended including a Medicaid Buy-In Option in the last budget bill, but could not find the funding for it. DD Council supports Medicaid Buy-In because it enables more people with disabilities to go to work.For more information, contact: 3/6/03
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