What is Medicaid?
What does Medicaid pay for?
- Prescribed Drugs
- Nursing Home Care
- Home Health Care
- In-Outpatient Hospital Care
- Hearing Aids
- Dentures
- Eyeglasses
- Physical Therapy
- Podiatrist
- Physicians
- Dentist
- Optometry
- X-Rays
- Laboratory Services
Individuals who are 65 years or older, blind, or disabled and who have incomes and resources below the medical assistance guidelines. These guidelines are:
Resource Guidelines: The actual amount of medical expenses that Medicaid pays for depends on the individual's financial situation. Resources include all cash or other liquid assets, or any other real or personal property owned by an individual.
- A single individual may not exceed $4,000 in liquid resources (bank accounts, C.D.'s, bonds, stocks etc.). A married couple cannot exceed $6,000 in liquid resources.
- Life Insurance with a total face value not to exceed $1,500 per individual.
- An irrevocable burial trust per individual with a value not exceed $3,000. This money is exempt because once it is placed in an irrevocable trust it cannot be withdrawn.
- Burial plot, grave marker, caskets, and urns are exempt resources.
- One car is exempt.
- The home in which you live is exempt.
There are special rules for married couples when one spouse is in a nursing home or licensed alternate care facility and needs Medicaid, and the other spouse is not receiving care and is not applying for Medicaid. These rules protect resources. You may need to obtain information on this program now, especially if your resources exceed the Medicaid guidelines.
May I Dispose of Property by Conveying it to Relatives or Selling it?
If you give away your home or other property you own (including bank accounts, C.D.'s etc.) without payment for its value, you may be ineligible for Medicaid, and possibly subject to criminal penalties.
How Long Must I Live in Nebraska in Order to be Eligible For Medicaid?
There is no specific time period that you must live in Nebraska before you apply for Medicaid. However, at the time of the application, you must live in Nebraska.
Income Guidelines:
Income guidelines are based on an individual or couple's gross monthly income. Income is any money received which is available for support and maintenance. These guidelines are as follows:
| $ _____ | Total of all monthly income checks received (Social Security, Railroad Retirement, pension, interest, etc.) |
| + $____ | Add the Medicare premium amount (which is deducted from Social Security before you receive your check |
| = _____ | Equals Gross Income |
| - ______ | Minus $20 (Social Security Disregard) |
| - ______ | Minus any health insurance premiums paid monthly (do not include the $58.70 Medicare premium here) |
| = ______ | If this is below $748 for an individual or $1,010 for a couple, you may be eligible |
If an individual or couple's income exceeds these amounts, they may still qualify, but would be expected to pay a portion of their medical expenses. This is considered your "share of cost."
Where do I apply?
Contact the following county offices for an appointment or further information:
Butler County(Courthouse)(Serves all of Butler County & residents who live in Polk County and have a mailing address of Osceola, Duncan, Shelby, Columbus.)
284 Ninth Street, Post Office Box 231
David City, Nebraska 68632
367-6021 or 1-800-576-5212
Fillmore County (Courthouse)
160 North Ninth Street
Geneva, Nebraska 68361
759-3718
Lancaster County
1050 "N" Street
Lincoln, Nebraska 68508
471-7000
Polk County
(Residents who live in Polk County and have a mailing address of Osceola, Shelby, Duncan, Columbus)
Contact David City Office
367-6021 or 1-800-576-5212
Polk County
(Residents who have a mailing address of Polk, Stromsburg, Benedict, Silver Creek, Clarks, Gresham)
Contact York Office
362-4471 or 1-800-627-3411
Saunders County
355 East Fourth Street
Wahoo, Nebraska 68066
443-4252 or 1-800-755-1333
Saline County
1005 East Highway 33, Suite 1
Post Office (PO) Box 276
Crete, Nebraska 68333
826-2196 or 1-800-557-8511
Seward County
320 South 14th Street
Seward, Nebraska 68434
643-6614 or 888-497-9819
York County (Courthouse)
(All of York County and residents of Polk County who have mailing address of Polk, Stromsburg, Benedict, Silver Creek, Clarks, Gresham)
2329 Nebraska Avenue
York, Nebraska 68467
362-4471 or 1-800-627-3411
You may also call Aging Services LIFE (Lincoln Information for the Elderly). A counselor will discuss the services that will best help you to remain independent in your own home. Aging Services LIFE can be reached at 1005 O Street, Suite 300, Lincoln, Nebraska 68508-3628, (402) 441-7070 or 800-247-0938 (toll-free).
