Medical Assistance for People Who Are Age 65 or Older and People Who Are Blind or Have a Disability

2.3.3.3.1 Income Limits

To be eligible for Medical Assistance (MA) for People Who Are Age 65 or Older and People Who Are Blind or Have a Disability (MA-ABD), a person’s income must be less than or equal to the applicable income limit. Income limits are based on federal poverty guidelines.

Federal Poverty Guidelines

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issues federal poverty guidelines (FPG) each year. New guidelines are used beginning each July 1.

These guidelines determine income eligibility for MA-ABD. A person’s applicable income limit is based on many factors, including, but not limited to:

The basis of eligibility for MA
The number of people included in the household size
Whether the person has a medical spenddown for MA

Income Limit for MA-ABD

People must have income that is less than or equal to 100% FPG to be eligible MA-ABD. Refer to Minnesota Insurance Affordability Programs Income and Asset Guidelines (DHS-3461A) for information about household size and income limits.

MA for Employed Persons with Disabilities (MA-EPD) has no income limit. See the MA-EPD subchapter for more information.

A child enrolled in the MA TEFRA Option has an income limit of 100% FPG. See the MA under the TEFRA Option subchapter for more information.

There is no income limit for MA eligibility under MA Minnesota Supplemental Aid (MSA) and MA 1619(a) or 161(b). See MA 1619(a) or 1619(b) for more information.

Excess Income

People with one of the bases of eligibility for MA-ABD whose income exceeds 100% FPG and have medical expenses may be eligible for MA with a spenddown. See the MA-ABD Medical Spenddown policy for more information.

Legal Citations

Minnesota Statutes, section 256B.056, subdivision 1a

Minnesota Statutes, section 256B.056, subdivision 4

Minnesota Statutes, section 256B.056, subdivision 5