2.3.5 Medical Assistance for Employed Persons with Disabilities

Medical Assistance for Employed Persons with Disabilities (MA-EPD) is a work incentive health care program that provides MA coverage to employed people with certified disabilities. A person must earn more than $65 a calendar month to be eligible for MA-EPD. A person must use the blind or disabled basis of eligibility under MA for People Who Are Age 65 or Older and People Who Are Blind or Have a Disability (MA-ABD). An MA-EPD consumer brochure (DHS-2087L) is available.

People may continue to be eligible for MA-EPD after reaching the age of 65, as long as they continue to meet the other eligibility requirements. To be eligible for MA-EPD, applicants age 65 or older must have been certified disabled prior to age 65.

The following people are not eligible for MA-EPD:

SSI recipients
People with 1619a or 1619b status

People who are eligible for MA-EPD may also be eligible for other Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCP). MHCPs include MA under different bases of eligibility, MinnesotaCare and Advance Premium Tax Credits. Each person’s unique situation determines which MHCP is most affordable and provides the services the person needs. MA-EPD has unique financial eligibility policies that may be beneficial for people nearing age 63.

Home and Community-Based Services Waivers are available to people enrolled in MA-EPD. People must meet the general long-term care eligibility requirements. MA-EPD eligibility and premium policies apply to the person.

MA-EPD eligibility is determined using a variety of non-financial, financial and post-eligibility requirements. This subchapter includes policies that apply to MA-EPD and links to the policies that apply to all MA programs, MA-ABD, and all Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCP) programs.