Medicaid, a state and federal health insurance program, helps low-income Americans access health care that they wouldn’t be able to afford otherwise. Each state operates its own Medicaid program. Almost 660,000 people are enrolled in Oklahoma’s Medicaid program, known as SoonerCare. SoonerCare covers many medical services. Some of the services available to Medicaid recipients include ambulance, physician, hospital, X-ray and clinic. SoonerCare may also pay for medical equipment, such as insulin pumps and wheelchairs. Seniors who live in Broken Arrow may qualify for SoonerCare if they’re U.S. citizens with low incomes and limited resources. For single seniors, the Medicaid income limit is $1,041 per month, and the asset limit is $2,000. These limits are slightly higher for married couples, who have an income limit of $1,409 and an asset limit of $3,000 per month. To apply for SoonerCare, seniors can visit their county Department of Human Services office. Depending on their location within Broken Arrow, this is either the Tulsa County DHS or the Wagoner County DHS. Seniors can also complete a paper application and take or mail it to the county DHS office. To get more information about Medicaid, seniors can call the SoonerCare Helpline at (800) 987-7767. ADVantage Waiver Program The ADVantage Medicaid waiver helps seniors remain in their own homes instead of moving into nursing facilities. Some of the services they may receive through the waiver include housekeeping, personal assistance and nursing care. Waiver members can request to receive these services in an assisted living facility instead of at home. The waiver doesn’t cover room-and-board fees. Seniors may qualify for the ADVantage program if they:
- Require nursing home care
- Don’t have a cognitive impairment
- Live at home or with a family member
- Can safely live at home after receiving waiver services
- Earn less than $2,313 per month ($4,626 for couples)
- Have less than $2,000 in assets ($3,000 for couples)
Once seniors qualify for the ADVantage program, they can request assisted living services if they meet at least one of these requirements:
- Their home is unsafe or inaccessible.
- They need to move out of an assisted living facility but have nowhere else to go.
- Their care needs can’t be met at home.
- They may lose their home.
To request assisted living services, seniors who are already members of the ADVantage program can simply call their case manager. Seniors who aren’t members yet can call the
ADVantage Administration Unit at (800) 435-4711. They can also apply in person at their county DHS office.