|
|
MAIN
|
 |
|
|
A Joint Project of the Maine
Association of Interdependent Neighborhoods |
|||
|
Volume 9 No. 2 |
August 2005 |
||
|
|
MAIN
|
|
|
|
A Joint Project of the Maine
Association of Interdependent Neighborhoods |
|||
|
Volume 9 No. 2 |
August 2005 |
||
MaineCare Expanded To Parents
With Minor ChildrenGovernor Baldacci announced in May that about 10,000 more parents will be eligible for MaineCare! As of May 1, 2005 the income eligibility limit for parents rose to the same level as it is for children. This affects those families in which, until May, the parents were not eligible even though the children were. These families pay a premium for MaineCare coverage for the children. The expansion allows these parents to have income up to 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. ($25,660 for a household of 2; $32,180 for a household of 3; $38,700 for a household of 4; there are some income disregards, so if you are close, you should apply.) Unlike children, however, parents still must have assets worth less than a certain amount to qualify. This should not be a problem for most parents, because many assets do not count, including a family's home, up to two vehicles if used for work or transportation to medical appointments, and up to $12,000 in savings. Other less common assets also do not count. The complete list is in the DHHS rules.
Anyone who wants to apply for this coverage should call their local office of the Department of Health and Human Services and ask to apply for MaineCare parent coverage. This expansion is part of the Dirigo Health Plan that was passed into law in 2003.
If you have any questions about this expansion, feel free to call MEJP toll free at 1-866-626-7059 x 205.
