Michigan
I. Overview of a State’s Comprehensive Person-Centered Employment Initiatives
Michigan enacted in 2003 State Medicaid Buy-In legislation with an
implementation date of January 1, 2004
New – Download
file of two summary charts
State’s Medicaid Buy-In Program Design Features
- Income Eligibility Criteria
- Resource Limits and Exclusions
- Cost Sharing - Minimum Income Level and Premium or Cost Share Methods
- Work Related Policies and Protections
State’s SSI and Other Medicaid Income Standards for Adults
with Disabilities
II. What’s New and Persons to Contact
A Medicaid Buy-In program has passed the legislature and was signed
by the Governor. The Department of Community Health projects no new
costs from the new program while legislative fiscal analysts project
new costs will be “nominal.” Eligibility for the Buy-In
Program builds on the state’s current poverty-related category.
Under the state’s current poverty level standards, an adult with
a disability whose total income is less than the poverty level (about
$750 monthly for one person) can qualify for Medicaid. Persons who
go to work may have combined SSDI income and income from earnings
which exceed the poverty level standard and then must qualify for
Medicaid under special rules that require them to spend down to an
income of approximately $350 monthly.
To solve this problem, the Buy-In program will count income from earnings
and income from other sources in different ways. Income from sources
other than work will be compared to the poverty-level standard. Income
from earnings will not be counted. A working adult with a disability
will qualify for Medicaid without a spend down as long as his non-work
income (e.g. SSDI) is less the poverty level
With the unearned income limit in place, the state is likely to experience
few new costs due to the program expansion. Persons with SSDI benefits
above the poverty level will not qualify for coverage under the program,
but a significant number of persons with lower levels of SSDI benefits
will be able to go to work and retain Medicaid without a spend down
Persons to Contact
MiJob Coalition Contact
R. Anthony "Tony" Wong
Michigan Association of Centers for Independent Living
1476 Haslett Road
Haslett, MI 48840
Phone: 517-339-0539
Fax: 517-339-0805
E-mail: tony@macil.net
June Morse
Consultant/Ticket Coordinator
Michigan Department of Career Development
Rehabilitation Services
P.O. Box 30010
201 North Washington Square
Lansing, MI 48909
Phone: 517-373-8240
Fax: 517-373-0565
E-mail: morsej1@michigan.gov
III. Program Development - Past and Present
- Executive Branch Leadership, Cross Disability Coalition Leadership
and Interagency Working Groups
MiJob Coalition active in development of Medicaid Buy-In legislation
Download Membership of MiJob
Coalition
- Initial Planning, Information Gathering and Program and Fiscal
Estimates
Consumer survey conducted by MiJob Coalition in 2000
Download survey summary
IV. State Legislation - Adopted and Pending
Download Word file of explanation
of Michigan Medicaid Buy-In Legislation
Pdf file of House bill 2003-HNB-4270
as signed by Governor
Pdf file of Senate bill 2003-SNB-0022
as signed by Governor
Pdf file of Senate Fiscal Agency’s
analysis and fiscal impact of bill May 2003 SFA 0022
V. Current State Policies and Program Descriptions
- State Policies: State Plans, Regulations and Waiver Requests
to Federal Agencies - Pending and Adopted Programs
- Ensuring Informed Choice and Person - Centered Programs: Benefits
Counseling, Work Force Investment Act Implementation and Related Educational
Services
A Medicaid Buy-In Implementation Task Force was established
including members of the MiJob Coalition and State agency staff.
- Descriptions for Consumers and Staff Training Activities
VI. Program Data and Impact
- Medicaid Buy-In Data
- Consumer Surveys and Evaluation Studies
VII. Comprehensive Employment Initiatives |
