Iowa Medicaid Income Limits 2024

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Iowa Medicaid Income Limits 2023 : Medicaid is a program that pays for covered medical and health care costs of people who qualify. The Medicaid program is funded by Federal and state government and is managed by the Iowa Department of Human Services. The Federal government establishes general guidelines for the administration of Medicaid benefits.

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Iowa Medicaid Income Limits 2023

Iowa Medicaid offers different types of coverage based on age, whether someone is a parent, pregnant woman, aged, blind, disabled, currently or formerly in foster care, has breast or cervical cancer, or is aged 19-64 and not receiving Medicare coverage and not a parent or caretaker of a minor child. The Iowa Department of Human Services completes an eligibility determination and gives the most complete coverage for which someone qualifies.

Some coverage groups do require a small monthly premium that the member must pay. A wide range of medical and health care services are available through the Medicaid program. Primary services funded through Medicaid are physician, hospital, and long-term care. Additional coverage includes prescription drugs, medical equipment, transportation, family planning, laboratory tests, and other medical services.

These services are covered only if they are medically necessary. Most Medicaid members are covered under one of the managed care plans. Medicaid members must receive services through the provider network of the Managed Care Organizations (MCO) that they are enrolled in. Some services covered by Medicaid do require a small co-payment that the member must pay.

Who is eligible for Iowa Medicaid Program?

Iowa Medicaid Income Limits 2023 : To be eligible for Iowa Medicaid, you must be a resident of the state of Iowa, a U.S. citizen or national, legal permanent resident, or qualified alien, and whose financial situation would be characterized as low income or very low income. Some individuals also must be under a certain asset test in order to qualify. Income levels vary by coverage group and are higher for children as well as the aged, blind, and disabled.

Iowa Medicaid Income Limits 2023 Chart For Seniors

Find out if you and your family are eligible for coverage through the Iowa Health and Wellness Plan.

To be eligible for the Iowa Health and Wellness Plan, you must:

  • Be an adult age 19 to 64
  • Have an income that does not exceed 133% of the Federal Poverty Level
    • Approximately $19,391 for an individual
    • Approximately $26,228 for a family of two (or higher depending on family size)
  • Live in Iowa and be a U.S. citizen
  • Not be otherwise eligible for Medicaid or Medicare

Iowa Health and Wellness Plan provides comprehensive health benefits at low or no cost to members. Members have access to doctors and hospitals in local communities and throughout the state of Iowa. Benefits include doctor visits, prescription drugs, dental care, preventative health services, mental health services, hospitalizations, emergency care, and more. 

Iowa Medicaid Income Limits 2023 Chart

2023 Iowa Medicaid Long-Term Care Eligibility for Seniors

Type of Medicaid Single Married (both spouses applying) Married (one spouse applying)
Income Limit Asset Limit Level of Care Required Income Limit Asset Limit Level of Care Required Income Limit Asset Limit Level of Care Required
Institutional / Nursing Home Medicaid $2,742 / month* $2,000 Nursing Home $5,484 / month ($2,742 / month per spouse)*† $3,000 Nursing Home $2,742 / month for applicant* $2,000 for applicant & $148,620 for non-applicant Nursing Home
Medicaid Waivers / Home and Community Based Services $2,742 / month $2,000 Nursing Home $5,484 / month ($2,742 / month per spouse)† $3,000 Nursing Home $2,742 / month for applicant $2,000 for applicant & $148,620 for non-applicant Nursing Home
Regular Medicaid / Aged Blind and Disabled $914 / month $2,000 Help with ADLs $1,371 / month $3,000 Help with ADLs $1,371 / month $3,000 Help with ADLs

*All of a beneficiary’s income, with the exception of a personal needs allowance of $50, Medicare premiums, and a spousal income allowance (if applicable), must go towards the cost of nursing home care.

†The rules governing eligibility change after six months of Medicaid eligibility. At this time, married couples can choose to be considered as single applicants. By doing so, each spouse is able to have up to $2,742 / month in income and $2,000 in assets.

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Specific Iowa Medicaid Programs

Iowa Medicaid Income Limits 2023 : In addition to paying for nursing home care, Iowa Medicaid offers two programs relevant to the elderly that helps them to remain living at home or in assisted living residences.

HCBS Elderly Waiver – Benefits may include personal care assistance, adult day care, home modifications, personal emergency response systems, and more. Program participants have two options of directing their own care: Consumer-Directed Attendant Care (CDAC) and Consumer Choices Option (CCO). Both options allow participants to hire the care attendant of their choosing, including their own adult children.

Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) – Combines the benefits of Medicaid, including long-term care, and Medicare into a single program.

Iowa Medicaid Long-Term Care Definition

Medicaid (Title 19) is a health care program for low-income individuals of all ages. While there are many different coverage groups, this page focuses on long-term care Medicaid eligibility for elderly Iowa residents 65+ years old. In addition to nursing home care, IA Medicaid pays for care services and supports to help frail seniors continue live at home or in assisted living. There are three categories of Medicaid long-term care programs for which IA seniors may be eligible.

Institutional / Nursing Home Medicaid – This is an entitlement program; anyone who meets the eligibility requirements is offered assistance. Benefits are provided only in nursing homes.

Medicaid Waivers / Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) – This is not an entitlement program; the number of program participant slots is limited. Once the enrollment cap has been reached, there are wait lists. Services are intended to prevent and delay nursing home admissions and are provided at home, adult day care, or in assisted living.

Regular Medicaid / Aged Blind and Disabled – This is an entitlement program; if eligibility criteria is met, services can be received. Long-term care benefits, such as personal care assistance or adult day care, may be available.

Iowa’s Medicaid program is state and federally funded and is administered by the state under federally set parameters. The Iowa Department of Human Services’ Division of Iowa Medicaid Enterprise is the administering agency. IA Health Link is a managed care program that serves the majority of Medicaid beneficiaries.

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Iowa Medicaid Income & Asset Limits for Eligibility

Iowa Medicaid Income Limits 2023 : Each of the three Medicaid long-term care programs have varying financial and medical (functional) eligibility requirements. Financial requirements change annually, vary with marital status, and is further complicated by the fact that Iowa offers multiple pathways to eligibility.

Simplified Eligibility Criteria: Single Applicant for Nursing Home Care

IA seniors must be financially and medically eligible for long-term care Medicaid. They must have limited income, limited assets, and a medical need for care. A single individual applying for Nursing Home Medicaid in 2023 in Iowa must meet the following criteria: 1) Have income under $2,742 / month 2) Have assets under $2,000 3) Require the level of care provided in a nursing home facility.

The table below provides a quick reference to allow seniors to determine if they might be immediately eligible for long term care from an Iowa Medicaid program. Alternatively,  one can take the Medicaid Eligibility Test.  IMPORTANT: Not meeting all of the criteria does not mean one is ineligible or cannot become eligible for Medicaid in Iowa.

How to Apply for Iowa Medicaid

Elderly Iowa residents can apply for Medicaid online at the Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) Services Portal or over the phone by calling the DHS Contact Center at 855-889-7985, or in person at their local DHS office. Additional information about applying for Iowa long-term care is available on the state’s DHS website. Persons may also contact their local Area Agency on Aging office for additional program information or for assistance with the application process.

Prior to applying for Medicaid, it is imperative that seniors are confident that they meet all of the eligibility requirements discussed above. For those who have income and / or asset(s) greater than the allowable amounts, or are unsure, Medicaid Planning can play an instrumental role. Applying for long-term care Medicaid is frequently a complicated and lengthy process. Familiarizing oneself with general information about the application process can be helpful.

Qualifying When Over the Limits

Iowa Medicaid Income Limits 2023 : For Iowa elderly residents (age 65+) who do not meet the financial eligibility requirements above, there are other ways to qualify for Medicaid.

Medically Needy Pathway : Iowa has a “Spenddown” program for persons applying for Regular Medicaid / Aged Blind Disabled who have income over the Medicaid limit. This program allows applicants to become income-eligible for Medicaid services by spending “excess” income on medical expenses. This may include overdue medical bills, Medicare premiums, health insurance premiums, and medical bills not covered by Medicaid.

In 2023, the Medically Needy Income Limit (MNIL) for individuals is the same as for married couples and is $483 / month. The amount one must “spend down” can be thought of as a deductible. It is the difference between one’s monthly income and the MNIL. In IA, the spend down is calculated for a 2-month period. Once one has met their “spend down” for the period, they are Medicaid income-eligible for the remainder of the period. The Medically Needy Asset Limit is $10,000 per household.

Miller Trusts : Also called Qualified Income Trusts (QITs), or specific to Iowa Medicaid, Medical Assistance Income Trusts (MAITs). MAITs allow persons applying for Nursing Home Medicaid or a HCBS Medicaid Waiver who have “excess” income to become income-eligible. In simple terms, “excess” income is deposited into the irrevocable trust, in which a trustee has legal control, no longer counting as income for Medicaid eligibility. Irrevocable means the terms of the trust cannot be changed or cancelled. Trust funds can only be used for very specific purposes, such as paying for medical expenses and long-term care costs accrued by the Medicaid enrollee.

Asset Spend Down : Persons who have assets over Medicaid’s asset limit can “spend down” assets to become asset-eligible. This can be done by turning countable assets into non-countable ones. Examples include making home modifications (i.e., adding wheelchair ramps or stair lifts), prepaying funeral and burial expenses, and paying off debt. Remember, it is vital that one does not give away assets or sell them under market value. Doing so can violate Medicaid’s “Look-Back” Period of 60 months. When “spending down”, it is best to keep documentation of how assets were spent as evidence the Look-Back Period was not violated.

Medicaid Planning : The majority of persons considering Medicaid are “over-income” and / or “over-asset”, yet they still cannot afford their cost of long-term care. For persons in this situation, Medicaid planning exists. By working with a Medicaid Planning Professional, families can employ a variety of strategies to help them not only become Medicaid eligible, but also to protect their home from Medicaid’s estate recovery program.

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Iowa Medical / Functional Need Requirements

An applicant must have a functional need for long-term care. For Nursing Home Medicaid and Medicaid Waivers, a Nursing Facility Level of Care (NFLOC) is required. Furthermore, some program benefits may have additional eligibility requirements specific to that benefit. For instance, for a Waiver to pay for home modifications, an inability to safely live independently without modifications may be necessary. For long-term care services via the Regular Medicaid program, a functional need with the Activities of Daily Living is required, but a NFLOC is not necessarily required.

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