Does anyone know anything about medicaid?

Nurses General Nursing

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My parents are 58 years old and are uninsured. They cannot afford healthcare. They live in NJ. I'm planning to go to my county's social services to see if they can get medicaid. Does anyone know any specifics on medicaid? My dad works long hours as a limousine driver and for his taxes, he earned $100,000 last year. However, after all the deductions his adjusted gross income is only $22,500. His company does not have insurance so my dad is pretty much self-employed which states it in his tax return. They don't own a home, just rent. Everything goes out so he pretty much earns 22,500. My mom only worked part-time and didn't earn much but together the adjusted gross income is $23,000 and they have one dependent. I read on the website that they take the total income before the deductions so does this mean they take in that my dad earned $100,000 before the deductions? My parents only have $1000 in their bank account. Can they still get medicaid? even though my dad's gross income was that high, after deductions it's only 23,000.

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You need to call the NJ Medicaid office for the definitive answer on eligibility. You can also google them and see if they have a FAQs page. However, if it says "before deductions," that's what they mean.

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Specializes in LTC, Disease Management, smoking Cessati.

Not familiar with NJ but most people who make that much money wouldn't be able to secure free medical care... they go by earned income... making that much, there should be some affordable plan they could get... good luck.

I've seen people who make zero dollars be turned down... :(

The adjusted gross is only what they pay taxes on... not what they have to live on.

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from my understanding, they base their findings on gross income only.

so no, they wouldn't be eligible.

leslie

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Specializes in Wound Care, LTC, Sub-Acute, Vents.

that gross income is pretty high to qualify for medicaid. i don't understand the "adjusted gross income". is that the take home pay? why only $23,000? where did the other $77,000 go?

100k is pretty good income. i think i'm in the wrong field. i would have to work ot back to back to get to that amount.

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I'm disabled, and have had to deal with Medicaid over the past several years. My adjusted gross income was around $6000 per YEAR on my tax forms....and I made too much because of what was reported for my disability income. I had what they called a spenddown, which is essentionally a MONTHLY deductible of 2200.00....Medicaid would help with anything OVER 2200.00/month. That wouldn't leave me anything for rent, meds, food, insurance premiums (Medicare supplements/drug plan). I had to file bankruptcy solely for medical reasons, which made me feel like a total scumbag. I wanted to pay my medical bills.

One of the oral chemo meds I'm on for leukemia costs several thousand dollars/month (I forget how much, but it was more than 4 grand per month- there was NO way I could afford even the lowest copay rate for catastrophic coverage). I didn't qualify for any help because of my pre-tax disability income (I had a long term disability policy when I was working that saved my butt...even without it, I'd make too much- I'm convinced they plan it that way. You have to make so little that it's likely you don't have a home address, but need an address to get help). A social worker at the oncologist's office found a different Medicare drug plan that covered the needed med (the ONLY one for the type of leukemia/subtype I have). Without the med, my prognosis was not good...it's not a 'luxury' med (anything that isn't used for purely medical purposes; ie- cosmetic, sexual enhancement, etc).

Medicaid is a cruel system because of the impossible requirements. I agree that it needs to be managed to allow the most people to benefit- but the healthcare system is currently meant only for those who can afford to pay to live. I'm all for paying what I can- I currently have more than 400.00 in premiums per month being on Medicare, for supplements, Part B, and the drug plan... that doesn't include the medication copays, dressings for my Hickman, heparin flushes...those are not covered. If Social Security checks die, I'm on the street- but still make more than some ridiculous amount to qualify for real help. In order to pay for premiums, I'll be homeless with a PO Box at one of those places with a street address- I'll have to save the rest to keep gas in the car to have SOME type of shelter. If I HAD to I could live with my dad- but that wouldn't solve the problem other than not sleeping in the car.

It's sad. There's an ad on TV about government funding for (I'm not kidding) treadmills for SHRIMP (we all want fit seafood). Yet school budgets/programs are dumped, and medical help is a true luxury... it's really sad. And the idea that there's an actual dollar limit about who is "worthy" of help (though I realize they need limits- just reasonable ones) is detestable.

Community clinics can help with some issues; some are well equipped and privately funded (except some modest percentage of federal help- like less than %20). It's an option. I'm going to have to check out their dental services, as Medicare doesn't care about teeth- guess they figure anybody on Medicare doesn't have any- forgetting improved preventative care over the last several decades, and those of us on disability that aren't all that old. :)

It's been horrifying to see how difficult it is just to stay alive if you can't hand over cash to buy more time/meds.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Geriatrics.

77K in deductions? I think your Dad needs to look at what is being taken out of his pay.

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One of the oral chemo meds I'm on for leukemia costs several thousand dollars/month (I forget how much, but it was more than 4 grand per month- there was NO way I could afford even the lowest copay rate for catastrophic coverage). I didn't qualify for any help because of my pre-tax disability income (I had a long term disability policy when I was working that saved my butt...even without it, I'd make too much- I'm convinced they plan it that way. You have to make so little that it's likely you don't have a home address, but need an address to get help). A social worker at the oncologist's office found a different Medicare drug plan that covered the needed med (the ONLY one for the type of leukemia/subtype I have). Without the med, my prognosis was not good...it's not a 'luxury' med (anything that isn't used for purely medical purposes; ie- cosmetic, sexual enhancement, etc).

Medicaid is a cruel system because of the impossible requirements. I agree that it needs to be managed to allow the most people to benefit- but the healthcare system is currently meant only for those who can afford to pay to live. I'm all for paying what I can- I currently have more than 400.00 in premiums per month being on Medicare, for supplements, Part B, and the drug plan... that doesn't include the medication copays, dressings for my Hickman, heparin flushes...those are not covered. If Social Security checks die, I'm on the street- but still make more than some ridiculous amount to qualify for real help. In order to pay for premiums, I'll be homeless with a PO Box at one of those places with a street address- I'll have to save the rest to keep gas in the car to have SOME type of shelter. If I HAD to I could live with my dad- but that wouldn't solve the problem other than not sleeping in the car.

(post shortened for brevity.)

just wanted to say, "i'm so sorry"...for everything.

hang tough, keep faith, and get well.:hug:

leslie

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Thank you :) I'm fortunate to have a form of AML that is 80% curable (considered cured after 5 years of no remissions). I often laugh that at least I have SOMETHING that can be cured- I'm on disability for several other things... it's been a funky decade.

I'm so glad for this site, to reconnect with my nursing heart- I miss working SO much. :)

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Specializes in LTC, Psych, Hospice.
It's been horrifying to see how difficult it is just to stay alive if you can't hand over cash to buy more time/meds.

It's sad when someone has worked most of their life and can't qualify for help when it's needed. Sending you big hugs.

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Thank you :) It's sad that abuses of the system have led to such difficulty for legit need.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Academics.
My parents are 58 years old and are uninsured. They cannot afford healthcare. They live in NJ. I'm planning to go to my county's social services to see if they can get medicaid. Does anyone know any specifics on medicaid? My dad works long hours as a limousine driver and for his taxes, he earned $100,000 last year. However, after all the deductions his adjusted gross income is only $22,500. His company does not have insurance so my dad is pretty much self-employed which states it in his tax return. They don't own a home, just rent. Everything goes out so he pretty much earns 22,500. My mom only worked part-time and didn't earn much but together the adjusted gross income is $23,000 and they have one dependent. I read on the website that they take the total income before the deductions so does this mean they take in that my dad earned $100,000 before the deductions? My parents only have $1000 in their bank account. Can they still get medicaid? even though my dad's gross income was that high, after deductions it's only 23,000.

Ok, I guess I'm the only one who will ask outright.

Here's a list of the ways to reduce income that make up the difference between gross income and AGI on the 2010 1040.

Educator expenses

Certain business expenses of reservists, performing artists, and fee-basis

government officials. Attach Form 2106 or 2106-EZ

Health savings account deduction. Attach Form 8889

Moving expenses. Attach Form 3903

One-half of self-employment tax. Attach Schedule SE

Self-employed SEP, SIMPLE, and qualified plans

Self-employed health insurance deduction

Penalty on early withdrawal of savings

Alimony paid b Recipient's SSN

IRA deduction 3

Student loan interest deduction 3

Tuition and fees. Attach Form 8917 3

Domestic production activities deduction. Attach Form 8903

Soooo, where did the $77,000 get dumped into?

You had to know the question was coming! :clown:

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