ABA Family Legal Guide

The Rights of Older Americans

Health and Long-Term Care Benefits

Medicaid

What does Medicaid cost me?

Medicaid does not require you to pay premiums or deductibles. Providers may not charge Medicaid patients additional fees beyond the Medicaid reimbursement amount. However, states are permitted to impose a nominal deductible charge or other form of cost sharing for certain services. No Medicaid recipient may be denied services by a participating provider because of the patient's inability to pay.

Individuals whose income or assets exceed the state's permissible Medicaid amount may be eligible for Medicaid only after spending down their income or assets to a poverty level by incurring medical expenses. These spend-down amounts can be very high, especially for nursing-home residents whose income far exceeds the Medicaid eligibility level but who face enormous monthly expenses for care.