The NYS Medicaid State Plan provides low-cost or free medical services to low-income seniors in Westchester County and the rest of the state. Medicaid can help pay for long-term care, home health assistance and an assisted living facility. It also provides seniors with the medical equipment, transportation, inpatient and outpatient hospital services, physician services and laboratory and X-ray services.
To be eligible for Medicaid, applicants must be age 65 or older, a resident of the state of New York and a U.S. citizen (or have satisfactory immigration status).
To meet financial requirements:
- Single seniors’ income must be $842 per month or less
- Couples must have an income of less than $1,233 per month
- Non-exempt assets cannot exceed $15,150 for a single candidate and $22,200 for couples.
Seniors whose income exceeds the set limits may still be eligible for the Medicaid Excess Income program, also known as the spend-down or surplus-income program. This program pays for medical bills once a senior’s monthly out-of-pocket spending reaches a specific threshold.
The NY Assisted Living Program (ALP) is a waiver that pays for services of a licensed assisted living residence for individuals who require care but don’t need the all-inclusive services of a nursing home. To be eligible for this waiver, individuals must be age 21 and over, have a degree of self-mobility to function in an assisted living environment and meet the income limits of Medicaid recipients. Services paid by ALP include room and board, skilled nursing, medical equipment, adult day care, occupational and physical therapy and home health services. This program is open to Medicaid-eligible and ineligible individuals.
The ALP is regulated by the State Department of Health and has limited enrollment. To apply for Medicaid, call (855) 355-5777, apply online or visit the local office in your area.