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Is Ohio's Medicaid expansion the same thing as long-term care Medicaid for seniors?

No. Ohio expanded Medicaid under the ACA in 2014 for lower-income adults generally, using an income-based (MAGI) test. Long-term care Medicaid for sen

Quick answer

No. Ohio expanded Medicaid under the ACA in 2014 for lower-income adults generally, using an income-based (MAGI) test. Long-term care Medicaid for seniors uses a completely different, non-MAGI aged/blind/disabled eligibility pathway that predates the ACA expansion.

HomeQuestionsIs Ohio's Medicaid expansion the same thing as long-
Answer

No. Ohio expanded Medicaid under the ACA in 2014 for lower-income adults generally, using an income-based (MAGI) test. Long-term care Medicaid for seniors uses a completely different, non-MAGI aged/blind/disabled eligibility pathway that predates the ACA expansion.

The detail behind the program

Conflating these two systems is one of the most common and consequential mistakes families make when researching Medicaid eligibility for a parent. Ohio's ACA expansion status has no bearing on whether your parent will qualify for nursing-facility Medicaid or an HCBS waiver -- those use separate income and asset tests, administered separately. If you're trying to figure out whether your parent qualifies for long-term care Medicaid, start with the non-MAGI aged/blind/disabled pathway directly through Ohio Department of Medicaid or the Council on Aging, not through anything related to ACA marketplace coverage.

Related questions

Questions families ask

Is Ohio's Medicaid expansion the same thing as long-term care Medicaid for seniors?

No. Ohio expanded Medicaid under the ACA in 2014 for lower-income adults generally, using an income-based (MAGI) test. Long-term care Medicaid for seniors uses a completely different, non-MAGI aged/blind/disabled eligibility pathway that predates the ACA expansion.

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