Ciscomani Leads Effort to Ensure Working Adults with Disabilities Have Access to Medicaid

The Ensuring Access to Medicaid Buy-In Programs Act (H.R. 1598) would lift the age cap for Medicaid buy-in programs for those with disabilities who choose to work. This will ensure that working adults with disabilities over the age of 65 can continue to work, if they choose, while receiving Medicaid coverage and benefits.  

 

Current law allows people with disabilities to earn above traditional income eligibility limits and keep key benefits, like long-term care services that are not available through private insurance, so long as they pay premiums for their Medicaid coverage. However, once these individuals turn 65 years old, they can no longer participate in the program, leaving them to wait two years until they can receive Social Security benefits at age 67. This ultimately penalizes individuals with disabilities who may want to continue working. Under Ciscomani’s legislation, these individuals would be able continue working, paying taxes, all while receiving the care and benefits they need. 

 

“Working adults with disabilities should never have to choose between a paycheck and their benefits,” said Ciscomani. “By lifting the age limit for Medicaid buy-in, we can make sure the individuals with disabilities over the age of 65 who depend on these programs can continue to work, if they choose, while maintaining the vital Medicaid benefits they need. This legislation closes this gap in benefits and will allow these individuals to stay in the workforce and receive a paycheck while receiving the benefits they deserve.” 

 

Ciscomani is joined by Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03) in this effort.  

 

“For people with disabilities who rely on home-based and long-term care through Medicaid Buy-In, an age cap for the program can present them with the difficult choice of limiting their income to receive Medicaid care or losing coverage by continuing to work and do what they love,” said Gluesenkamp Perez. “By expanding eligibility for Medicaid Buy-In beyond 65, more folks across Southwest Washington can remain in their communities and choose whether to keep working until their Social Security benefits kick in or longer.” 

 

Read the full text of this bill here.