Asset limits Income and asset limits by program (PDF) Program FAQs

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Income that is counted toward the income limit can be from wages, self-employment, unemployment insurance, child support, Social Security and other sources. Income is always before taxes. It is important to tell us about all income you receive.

How much income can I have and be eligible? Income limits depend on your age, the program you are eligible for and who lives with you. The income limits below are effective July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010.

Pregnant women, children and parents People who are blind or have a disability People 65 or older People who need help with Medicare costs

People who have disabilities and are employed Adults without children Family planning coverage Breast and cervical cancer coverage

Whose income do you count? You need to tell us about the income of others who live with you. We need to know about your income and income from your spouse, parents/guardians, stepparents, children and stepchildren. We may not count everyone’s income toward the limit. We will know whose income to count once we have all of your information.

Does everyone who lives with me have the same income limit? Not always. Family members can be in different health care programs. To see an estimate of your income limit, find the category below that best describes you or your family.

If my income is more than the limit can I still get coverage? Some people can be over the income limit and still get coverage using a “spenddown.” A spenddown is like an insurance deductible. You pay for some of your medical bills before Minnesota Health Care Programs will pay. The chart below shows whether a spenddown is available to you.

Minnesota Health Care Programs Income Limits

Effective July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010

Pregnant women, children and parents

Program		Monthly income limit by household size				Over limit	Monthly premium
		One	Two	Three	More than three
Pregnant women (counted as a two people)
	Medical Assistance	N/A	$3,340	$4,198	Add $858 per person	May be eligible with spenddown	No
	MinnesotaCare	N/A	$3,340	$4,198	Add $858 per person	Not eligible	Yes
Infants under age 2
	Medical Assistance	$2,527	$3,400	$4,273	Add $873 per person	May be eligible with spenddown	No
	MinnesotaCare	$2,482	$3,340	$4,198	Add $858 per person	Not eligible*	Yes
Children ages 2-18
	Medical Assistance	$1,354	$1,822	$2,290	Add $468 per person	May be eligible with spenddown	No
	MinnesotaCare	$2,482	$3,340	$4,198	Add $858 per person	Not eligible*	Yes
Children ages 19-20
	Medical Assistance	$903	$1,215	$1,527	Add $312 per person	May be eligible with spenddown	No
	MinnesotaCare	$2,482	$3,340	$4,198	Add $858 per person	Not eligible*	Yes
Parents and relative caretakers with children under 19
	Medical Assistance	$903	$1,215	$1,527	Add $312 per person	May be eligible with spenddown	No
	MinnesotaCare	See Parents, legal guardians, foster parents and relative caretakers with children under 21
Parents, legal guardians, foster parents and relative caretakers with children under 21
	Medical Assistance	See Parents and relative caretakers with children under 19
	MinnesotaCare	$2,482	$3,340	$4,198	Add $858 per person	Not eligible if over limit for your family size or your gross annual income is over $50,000	Yes

* Some children may remain in MinnesotaCare if they meet the criteria for the Minnesota Comprehensive Health Association exemption.

People who are blind or have a disability, are 65 or older, or need help with Medicare costs

	Program	Monthly income limit by household size						Over limit	Monthly premium
		One		Two	Three	More than three
People who are blind or have a disability
	Medical Assistance	$903	$1,215		$1,527	Add $312 per person		May be eligible with spenddown	No
	MinnesotaCare **	$2,257	$3,037		Not eligible	Not eligible	Not eligible		Yes
People who are 65 or older
	Medical Assistance	$903	$1,215		$1,527	Add $312 per person	May be eligible with spenddown		No
	MinnesotaCare **	$2,257	$3,037		Not eligible	Not eligible	Not eligible		Yes
Help with Medicare costs
	Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB)	$923	$1,235		$1,547	Add $312 per person	Not eligible		No
	Service Limited Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB)	$1,103	$1,477		$1,851	Add $374 per person	Not eligible
	Qualifying Individuals (QI)	$1,239	$1,660		$2,081	Add $421 per person	Not eligible
	Qualified Working Disabled (QWD)	$1,805	$2,429		$3,053	Add $624 per person	Not eligible
People with disabilities who are employed
	Medical Assistance for Employed Persons with Disabilities (MA-EPD)	There is no income limit. Must have earned income of at least $65 per month and meet MA-EPD definition of employment.							Yes

** People who have Medicare are not eligible for MinnesotaCare. If you do not have Medicare and are eligible for Medical Assistance with a spenddown, MinnesotaCare may be an option to consider depending on what services you need. The cost to you may be less. A county worker can help you decide what is best for you.

Adults without children

Program	Monthly income limit by household size				Over limit	Monthly premium
	One	Two	Three	More than three
MinnesotaCare	$2,257	$3,037	Not eligible	Not eligible	Not eligible	Yes
GAMC	$677	$911	$1,145	Add $234 per person	Not eligible	No
GAMC hospital coverage only	$1,580	$2,126	$2,672	Add $546 per person	Not eligible	No
Transitional MinnesotaCare	$677	$911	Not eligible	Not eligible	Not eligible	Yes (may be paid by your county)

Other programs

Program	Monthly income limit by household size				Over limit	Monthly premium
	One	Two	Three	More than three
Minnesota Family Planning Program	$1,805	$2,429	$3,053	Add $624 per person	Not eligible	No
Medial Assistance for Breast and Cervical Cancer	There is no income limit.					No

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