How To Qualify For Medicaid In Nebraska

What Does Ne Medicaid Cover

The Nebraska Medicaid program includes comprehensive health benefits for medically necessary services, like*:

• Ambulance travel and services
• Chiropractic services
• Dental
• Durable medical equipment, orthotics, prosthetics, and medical supplies
• Family planning
• EPSDT
• Hearing aids
• Home health services
• Hospice
• Hospital services
• ICF/DD
• IMDs
• Lab tests and X-rays
• Mental health and substance abuse services
• Non-emergency medical transportation to doctors appointments
• Nursing facility services
• Physician services, except for sterilization, sex reassignment surgery, radial keratotomy, cosmetic procedures, and weight control
• Personal assistance for disabled persons, like housekeepers and home aides
• Podiatry
• Prescription drugs and some over-the-counter medicines
• Screening services, like mammograms

*There may be limitations on these services and coverage is subject to change each year.

Children’s Health Insurance Program

The Children’s Health Insurance Program is a public healthcare program for low-income children who are ineligible for Medicaid. CHIP and Medicaid are related programs, and the former builds on Medicaid’s coverage of children. States may run CHIP as an extension of Medicaid, as a separate program, or as a combination of both. Like Medicaid, CHIP is financed by both the states and the federal government, and states retain general flexibility in the administration of its benefits.

CHIP is available specifically for children whose families make too much to qualify for Medicaid, meaning they must earn incomes above 138 percent of the federal poverty level, or $33,948 for a family of four in 2017. Upper income limits for eligibility for CHIP vary by state, from 175 percent of the federal poverty level in North Dakota to 405 percent of the FPL in New York. States have greater flexibility in designing their CHIP programs than with Medicaid. For instance, fewer benefits are required to be covered under CHIP. States can also charge a monthly premium and require cost sharing, such as copayments, for some services the total cost of premiums and cost sharing may be no more than 5 percent of a family’s annual income. As of January 2017, 14 states charged only premiums to CHIP enrollees, while nine states required only cost sharing. Sixteen states required both premiums and cost sharing. Eleven states did not require either premiums or cost sharing.

What Are The Income Requirements For Medicaid In Nebraska

Candidates interested in Medicaid benefits in NE must meet standard income restrictions that deem the applicant is unable to pay for basic living and medical needs. However, Medicaid eligibility requirements in NE may require a beneficiary to spend a portion of their income on medical expenses. Co-payments may also be the responsibility of the patient.

For example, Medicaid benefits eligibility requires households of one to earn less than $15,800 per year, households of two must earn less than $21,307 per year, households of three must earn less than $26,813 per year, households of four must earn less than $32,319 per year.

In addition, households of five must earn less than $37,825 per year, households of six must earn less than $43,331 per year, households of seven must earn less than $48,851 per year and households of eight must earn less than $54,384 per year.

Furthermore, Medicaid benefits require households of more than eight people to add on $5,533 per additional household member.

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Nebraska Medicaid Eligibility And Enrollment

• Are you eligible for Nebraska Medicaid? Find out how to enroll in Medicaid in Nebraska for individual and family coverage and how it differs from other states.

More than 266,000 participants benefit from Nebraska Medicaid each month because they are 65 years of age and older, pregnant, blind or disabled.

Medicaid helps provide families and their children the medically necessary services they need but otherwise cant afford. Caretakers responsible for children 18 years of age and younger are also eligible for state Medicaid benefits.

Nebraska offers a program for residents age 19 through 64 who earn up to 138% of the federal poverty level about $17,000 a year for a single person and $34,000 for a family of four. Coverage includes services like routine doctor visits, hospitalization and prescription drug benefits. In some cases, enrollees may qualify for additional benefits like dental and vision.

Nebraska Medicaid Income Guidelines And Eligibility

Medicaid eligibility is mostly based on your household income and family size. Nebraska does not count all resources as income. That means that you can own a home, one vehicle, and business-related property and still qualify for Medicaid. Additionally, any burial funds and your first $4,000 in resources are not counted. Anyone under 18 will not face any resource income analysis.

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How To Get Both Medicare And Medicaid In Nebraska

You can benefit from both Medicare and Medicaid by enrolling in a dual-eligible special needs plan, like the UnitedHealthcare Dual Complete Plan mentioned above. There are different dual-eligible plans available in each county, and each plan offers a different set of benefits. To learn about all of the different plans available in your area and for help making a decision, .

How To Meet With Case Workers To Sign Up For Medicaid In Ne

If you prefer to print paper NE Medicaid application forms and drop them off in person at your local Medicaid office, it will still be reviewed just like an online Medicaid application. In some ways, this option is better because it enables you to clear up any quandaries pertaining to, Where can I apply for Medicaid?

It is also possible to apply for Nebraska Medicaid over the phone by calling a toll-free number. to learn more about how to apply for Medicaid.

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Past Efforts To Expand Coverage Via Legislation Were Unsuccessful

In 2013, LB577, which would have created a modified Medicaid expansion program, was rejected by the legislature in Nebraska. A year later, the Wellness in Nebraska Act was introduced in January 2014 by Senator Kathy Campbell, but it didnt pass during the 2014 legislative session, and was indefinitely postponed in April 2014.

The Wellness in Nebraska Act would have expanded traditional Medicaid to people with incomes up to the poverty level , and would have relied on federal Medicaid funding to purchase private coverage for people with incomes between 100% and 138% of poverty. Several states are using waivers to implement unique approaches to Medicaid expansion, and New Hampshire and Arkansas both use waivers purchasing private coverage for at least some Medicaid enrollees.

In 2015, lawmakers introduced Legislative Bill 472 to expand Medicaid, but it did not pass out of committee. Also in 2015, two professors from the University of Nebraska-Kearney that found that expanding Medicaid would result in significant financial benefits for the state. After exhaustive study, the researchers concluded that expansion of Medicaid passes a rigorous cost/benefit analysis.

In January 2016, Nebraska State Senator John McCollister , introduced Legislative Bill 1032 in an effort to expand Medicaid in Nebraska. McCollister had been leading the push for Medicaid expansion in the state for almost a year at that point, but his legislation failed to advance out of committee.

Nebraska Medicaid Income Limit Charts

The Nebraska Medicaid eligibility income limit charts are divided by groups.

For example, the first chart is focused on income limits for children who qualify for Medicaid.

Similarly, the second chart below focuses on the Medicaid income limits for adults in Nebraska who qualify for Medicaid.

Nebraska Medicaid Income Limit for Children

Below is the income limit for children by age category. Find the age category your child falls into and you will see the income limit by household size.

How to Read the Nebraska Medicaid Income Limits Charts Above

You cannot have an income higher than the Federal Poverty Level percentage described for your group to be eligible for Medicaid.

Similarly, when you identify the income group that applies to you, the income limit you see refers to the maximum level of income you can earn to qualify for benefits.

For example, if you are pregnant, to qualify for Medicaid, you cannot have an income higher than 194% of the Federal Poverty Level which for a family of two is $33,795 as shown in the chart above.

The Nebraska Medicaid Income Limit is calculated as a percentage of the Federal Poverty Line.

To qualify, you must meet the Nebraska Medicaid Income limits listed below.

Here is the Federal Poverty Level for 2021.

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Nebraska Medicaid Enrollment Numbers

By mid-April 2014, 9,879 Nebraska exchange applicants had enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP. They were already eligible based on the pre-2014 enrollment guidelines, but may not have known that Medicaid was available to them.

But from the fall of 2013 through July 2016, total net enrollment in Nebraskas Medicaid program actually by 9,764 people, which amounted to a decrease of 4%. , however, enrollment was back to nearly where it had been in 2013, with only 188 fewer enrollees.

The state estimated that about 90,000 people would gain coverage under Medicaid expansion, although that number is likely to be higher now that the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in widespread job losses. The pandemic had increased the number of people relying on Medicaid even before expansion took effect.

As of May 2021, 324,200 Nebraskans are enrolled in Medicaid/CHIP programs.

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Who Is Eligible For Medicaid In Nebraska

Nebraskas Medicaid eligibility guidelines changed in August 2020, although coverage for newly-eligible adults wont begin until October 2020. Coverage is available for the following populations:

• Adults through age 64 with income up to 138% of the poverty level .
• Pregnant women with household income up to 199% of poverty.
• Children with household income up to 218% of poverty

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Unitedhealthcare Senior Care Options Plan

UnitedHealthcare SCO is a Coordinated Care plan with a Medicare contract and a contract with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Medicaid program. Enrollment in the plan depends on the plans contract renewal with Medicare. This plan is a voluntary program that is available to anyone 65 and older who qualifies for MassHealth Standard and Original Medicare. If you have MassHealth Standard, but you do not qualify for Original Medicare, you may still be eligible to enroll in our MassHealth Senior Care Option plan and receive all of your MassHealth benefits through our SCO program.

What Documentation Is Required To Apply For Medicaid In Ne

Since Medicaid applications are available to those who are incapable of working, unemployed or earn a minimal income, members are generally not required to pay for coverage after they learn how to apply for Medicaid. However, it is possible for a co-payment to apply to certain Nebraska Medicaid services.

You will only know if co-payments are required when you are able to prove eligibility for the NE Medicaid application available coverage groups. Here is an overview of widely accepted documents for Nebraska Medicaid application forms submission:

• Identity Supply a marriage certificate, drivers license, birth certificate or Social Security card to prove identity for a Medicaid application
• Residency Supply a rent receipt, your most current utility bills, letters of residency or property mortgage statement to prove residency and sign up for Medicaid in NE.
• Income Supply room rental statements, business records, income tax returns or eight weeks worth of pay stubs to prove income with forms for Medicaid application.
• Resources Supply checking account statements, 60 months worth of bank books, mutual funds statements or stockbroker statements to prove resources when you apply for Medicaid online or offline.

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What Services Can I Receive Under Medicaid

As a federally qualified health center, Bluestem Health participates in Nebraskas Medicaid Program. There are a variety of health services we can provide for our patients, including but not limited to those listed below, which are covered by the Nebraska Medicaid program:

• Dental Services such as cleaning of teeth, fillings, and X-rays.

• Complete Health Checkup for individuals age 20 and younger, including complete physical examination immunizations necessary lab tests health education hearing checkups well-baby, well-child, Head Start, school, and sports physicals.

• Laboratory and X-ray Tests

See also: Medicaid spending and enrollment statistics

During fiscal year 2016, combined federal and state spending for Medicaid in Nebraska totaled about $2 billion. Spending on Nebraskaâs Medicaid program increased by about 16.5 percent between fiscal years 2012 and 2016. Hover over the points on the line graph below to view Medicaid spending figures for Nebraska. Click on the red bar below the graph to view these figures as compared with three of Nebraskaâs neighboring states.

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Can I Apply For Medicaid By Fax In Nebraska

Understanding where you can apply for Medicaid by fax will ensure a stress-free application process. You can contact the Nebraska Medicaid Eligibility Customer Service Center, also known as ACCESS Nebraska, by fax. When doing so, a cover letter and any associated documentation must be faxed along with the completed forms for Medicaid application.

Read Also: How Can I Check If I Have Medicaid

What Are The Requirements For Medicaid In Nebraska

In the state of Nebraska, Medicaid services are available to qualifying low-income or very-low-income applicants who meet state-specific eligibility requirements. Medicaid eligibility requirements require a beneficiary to be low-income, elderly, disabled or pregnant, or to be low-income and have children.

Additionally, Medicaid benefits are available to candidates who are 65 or older or who are under the age of 65 and have a disability. Requirements for Medicaid also apply to candidates who are 18 or younger.

Dependent children who meet the requirements of the Aid to Dependent Children Program may also be eligible for Medicaid. As a whole, the following Medicaid requirements apply to all potential beneficiaries planning to enroll in Medicaid benefits in Nebraska:

• An application must be completed
• Beneficiaries must be U.S. citizens or hold legal alien status
• Applicants must reside in Nebraska
• A Social Security Number is required
• Income restrictions must be satisfied
• Current health insurance policies must be stated, if applicable
• Household members must be noted

Children who do not meet Medicaid eligibility requirements and who do not have other health insurance coverage may be eligible to receive assistance from the Childrens Health Insurance Program . Nebraska CHIP is an expansion of Nebraska Medicaid and provides many of the same Medicaid services. to learn about the different requirements for Medicaid.

How Does Nebraska Regulate Long

Medicare beneficiaries increasingly rely on long-term services and supports or long-term care which is mostly not covered by Medicare. In fact, 20 percent of Medicare beneficiaries who lived at home received some assistance with LTSS in 2015. Medicaid fills this gap in Medicare coverage for long-term care, but its complex eligibility rules can make qualifying for benefits difficult. Whats more eligibility rules vary significantly from state to state.

Applicants who are seeking Medicaid long-term care benefits have to complete an assessment.

Medicaid nursing home coverage

Income limits: The income limit is $1,063 a month if single and $1,437 a month if married. If only one spouse needs Medicaid, the income limit for single applicants is used .

However, nursing home enrollees are not allowed to keep all of their income up to this limit. Enrollees must pay nearly all their income each month toward their care, other than a small personal needs allowance and money to pay for health insurance premiums .

Assets limits: The asset limit is $4,000 if single and $6,000 if married. If only one spouse has Medicaid, the other spouse can keep up to $128,640.

Certain assets are never counted, including many household effects, family heirlooms, certain prepaid burial arrangements, and one car.

Home and Community Based Services waivers

Income limits: The income limit is $1,063 a month for a one person household and $1,437 a month for a two person household.

Estate recovery in Nebraska

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How Many People Are On Medicaid

According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, as of November 2020, here are the number of people enrolled in Medicaid and Chip in the entire United States:

• 78,521,263 individuals were enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP
• 72,204,587 individuals were enrolled in Medicaid
• 6,695,834 individuals were enrolled in CHIP

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How Medicaid Eligibility Is Determined

Income eligibility is determined by your modified adjusted gross income , which is your taxable income, plus certain deductions. Those deductions include non-taxable Social Security benefits, individual retirement contributions and tax-exempt interest. For most people, MAGI is identical or very close to your adjusted taxable income, which you can find on your tax return. Specific income requirements in dollars rise alongside the size of your household.

Our guide focuses on each states major programs for adults. Most are only available to state residents, U.S. citizens, permanent residents or legal immigrants .

Looking for insurance for a child? Check out our guide to the Children’s Health Insurance Program .

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What Is Nebraska Medicaid Fax Number

Nebraska Medicaid fax number where you can send fax messages including application forms for Nebraska state health insurance is 402-742-2351.

Are you looking for additional information for Nebraska Medicaid and Nebraska state health insurance? Do you need any assistance with Nebraska Medicaid? Please contact us and we will be happy to help you with any Medicaid application related matter.

Option 3 Download Application

You can , complete it, and mail it to your county DHHS office or submit it in person.

Additionally, you can call one of the numbers below to apply over the phone or to request a paper Medicaid application.

The phone lines are open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

1- 632-7633

A ballot initiative to expand Medicaid coverage under the ACA passed in November 2018.

Medicaid expansion enrollment in Nebraska began on August 1, 2020.

Coverage takes effect October 1, 2020.

Nebraskas plan to expand Medicaid includes the following:

• Two tiers of coverage, with various requirements
• Work requirements starting in year two in order to receive enhanced benefits.

Nebraskas Medicaid current managed care system, Heritage Health, took effect in January 2017.

The state of Nebraska initially expected roughly 90,000 people to become newly eligible for Medicaid coverage in Nebraska under the expanded eligibility guidelines.

However, a recent Families USA analysis indicates that an additional 33,000 people could be eligible due to the job losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

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