Idaho State Independent Living Council
“The Medicaid Employment Empowerment Project aims to increase the competitive employment of people with disabilities by disseminating accurate information about Idaho’s Medicaid for Workers with Disabilities program (Medicaid Buy-In).”
Employment, adequate healthcare and related supports are a part of independent living. Unfortunately, one of the primarily barriers to attaining gainful employment is lack of knowledge for valuable programs like Medicaid for Workers with Disabilities and Ticket to Work. The SILC is the recipient of the Medicaid Infrastructure Grant, which is working to help address and remove this barrier. The Medicaid Infrastructure Grant will be available to the SILC though December 2011.
Current grant partners include:
- Living Independence Network Corporation
- Living Independently for Everyone
- Disability Action Center
- Valley Regional Transit
- VSA Arts/Idaho Parents Unlimited
- Idaho Task Force on the Americans with Disabilities Act
- Disability Rights Idaho
Background
- Medicaid for Workers with Disabilities is from the Federal Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 legislation.
- Idaho legislation for Medicaid for Workers with Disabilities, House Bill 664, passed in 2006. The statute is Idaho Code 56-209N.
- Enrollment began in January 2007. Medicaid for Workers with Disabilities is a participation option under Idaho's enhanced plan.
- The rules for the eligibility are IDAPA 16.03.05.799.
- The rules for the premiums are IDAPA 16.03.18.215.
- More information can be found at the 211 Idaho e-library page.
Who are Workers with Disabilities?
Bobby has had a spinal cord injury since 1989 and is classified as a quadriplegic. She uses personal assistance services (PAS). She works as the executive director of the ADA Task Force. She pays a monthly insurance premium for her Medicaid, which includes her PAS.
Dana has had a spinal cord injury since 1979 and is classified as a quadriplegic. She has used Personal Assistance Services (PAS) since 1980. Dana is a consultant currently working to improve Personal Assistance Services in Idaho. She pays a monthly insurance premium for her Medicaid, which includes her PAS.
Chris has quadriplegia and diabetes, and uses personal assistance services (PAS). He works as a mortgage broker and works billing Medicaid. He is also on the Bliss City Council. One of the benefits that Chris enjoys about Medicaid for Workers with Disabilities is that he doesn't need to watch to make sure that he doesn't make too much money and get terminated from the Medicaid program. Chris enjoys working because it keeps him busy.
Purpose of Medicaid for Workers with Disabilities
- Eliminates barriers to health care and other needed services and supports
- Creates financial incentives to work, improving short and long-term financial independence of individuals with disabilities (See Idaho Code 56-209N)
- Increase productivity of Idaho residents with disabilities, enhancing economic and fiscal status of Idaho
- Individuals with disabilities can work without fear of losing access to medical services through Medicaid (no longer need to choose between work and health care)
- Decrease dependence on public assistance
Advantages of Medicaid for Workers with Disabilities
- Individuals with disabilities can work and earn more money and maintain Medicaid eligibility that they couldn't before this program.
- Individuals with disabilities can also save more using this program than regular Medicaid.
- Increased independence of individuals with disabilities.