Health Care Coverage: Medicaid for people ages 65 years or older and people who have a disability
A person who is 65 years or older, or a person who has a disability, may receive Medicaid assistance if he or she meets income and resource limits set by the program.
The amount of resources that a person owns is considered when deciding if he or she can receive Medicaid. Resources can include bank accounts, certificates of deposit, property, cash value of most life insurance, stocks and bonds. Resources do not usually include the value of a person’s home, vehicle, limited burial fund or personal belongings.
To find out if your income and resources are within the limits for this program, you can fill out a self-screening questionnaire at www.YourTexasBenefits.com. You can also meet with an HHSC staff person at an office near you. To find an office near you, call 2-1-1 (this is a free call) and an operator will give you the address to the closest office.
Medicaid for Long-Term Care
A person who needs 30 or more days of continuous, long-term care may be able to receive Medicaid if income and resource limits set for the program are met. Medicaid may also pay for medical services that were received three months before the person applied for assistance.
A person who receives Medicaid for long-term care must pay a portion of the cost by using all of his or her income, except for a small monthly allowance for personal needs and certain deductions such as health insurance premiums.
Long-term care services can be provided through community programs while the person is living at home or while the person is living in a long-term care facility, such as a nursing facility, institution for mental diseases or facility for the mentally retarded.
The benefit period for long-term Medicaid services is usually one year. Before the end of the benefit period, a renewal application will be sent to that person, or his or her authorized representative.
Medicaid for people who receive Supplemental Security Income
A person who receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI) automatically receives Medicaid. HHSC sends information about Medicaid services to people receiving Supplemental Security Income. If a person receiving Supplemental Security Income needs help paying for medical services that were received three months before applying for Supplemental Security Income, he or she must complete a Medicaid application to request this help. Income and resource limits set by this program must be met.
Helpful online resources
The www.yourtexasbenefits.com website allows you to fill out an online screening form. This form helps you know which state benefit programs you might be able to get.
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