1. NAME OF PROGRAM: Medicaid for the Aged, Blind, Disabled (MAABD)

2. PURPOSE OF PROGRAM: This program is designed to help with the medical costs for individuals who are aged, blind or disabled. Services covered include: payment of Medicare premiums, inpatient hospital care, doctor's visits and clinical services, outpatient hospital visits, licensed home care services, eyeglasses, prescription medicine, laboratory and x-ray services, nursing and hospice care, durable medical equipment, (e.g. walker), medically necessary ambulance transport and dental care.

3. APPLICATION PROCEDURES: Application for MAABD is made with the Cabarrus County Department of Social Services through the Adult Service Intake unit. Applications generally need to be made in person by the applicant or his representative. If unable to come to the agency the supervisor of the unit should be contacted to discuss options available. No specific information is required to apply for Medicaid. However, it is helpful to have the applicant’s social security number, proof of income and information about resources (such as bank account numbers and insurance policy numbers). If self-employed, business records and/or tax records would be helpful.

4. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: The eligibility requirements include:

1. Be age 65 or older, or under 65 and unable to work due to a severe disability that is expected to last at least 12 months.
2. Have monthly income no greater than $736 for individuals or $988 for couples. Income includes: Social Security, Veterans Benefits, pensions and other retirement benefits, wages (some income can be disregarded).
3. If monthly income exceeds the amounts listed above, the person must meet a deductible based upon the Medically Needy income limits which are $242 for individual and $317 for couple. A deductible in Medicaid works much like a deductible for private insurance. A person is responsible for a certain amount of medical bills before insurance pays. The difference is that a Medicaid deductible is not a set dollar amount (such as $100 or $250). It is based upon the person's income. If income is more than a limit set by law there must be a deductible. The deductible is the amount of income over the income limit. A deductible can be for 1, 2 or 3 months before the month of application or for a period of 6 months beginning with the month you apply.
4. Resources must be no more than $2,000 for an individual, or $3,000 for a couple. Resources include: cash, bank accounts, second car, retirement accounts, stocks and bonds, real estate that is not your home. Resources do not include your home, one car, household furnishings, clothing or other personal effects such as jewelry.

5. OTHER PROGRAM DETAILS: Individuals who are eligible for full Medicaid benefits receive a Medicaid card each month. Medicaid may also be retroactive to cover medical bills from the 3 months prior to the month of application.

6. DATE OF INFORMATION: April 23, 2001