Medicaid for Employed People with Disabilities

Medicaid for Employed People with Disabilities (MEPD) is a Medicaid coverage group to allow persons with disabilities to work and continue to have access to medical assistance.

Eligibility

People who are disabled and have earned income can get Medicaid when the person:

• Is under age 65.
• Is still considered to be disabled based on SSI medical criteria for disability.
• Has earned income from employment or self-employment.
• Meets general SSI-related Medicaid eligibility requirements.
• Is not eligible for any other Medicaid coverage group other than QMB, SLMB, or Medically Needy.
• Have resources less than $12,000 for an individual and $13,000 for a couple.
• Has a net family income less than 250% of the federal poverty level.
• Pays any premium due for the monthly eligibility.

To find out if you can get MEPD, you must fill out a Medicaid application and send it to your local Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) office. The application may be mailed, faxed or delivered to the HHS office. 

For further information on how to apply, please go to the Apply for Services web page.

Income Limits & Guidelines

Covered Services

• MEPD members receive all Iowa Medicaid benefits.
• Prescription services are included for members who do not have Medicare. For those members enrolled with Medicare as well as MEPD, prescription coverage will go through a Medicare Part D plan.
• MEPD will pay for your Medicare Premiums.

Monthly Premiums

If your monthly gross income is over 150% of the federal poverty level, you will have to pay a premium. You will get a Notice of Decision telling you the amount of your monthly premium.

To find your monthly gross income, add your gross earned income and your gross unearned income together. The premium you will have to pay will be on the same line.

Note: Your monthly premium will not go up during the 12-month enrollment period. The premium may go down if you report that your income has decreased.

How to Pay Your Premiums

Getting Medical Care

Most MEPD members receive coverage from the Iowa Health Link program. This program gives you health coverage through a Managed Care Organization (MCO) that you get to choose.

Some Medicaid members receive Medicaid coverage through the Medicaid Fee-for-Service (FFS) program.  These members may see any provider who agrees to be paid by Iowa Medicaid.  You can contact Iowa Medicaid Member Services for more information on Fee-for-Service and available providers.

Co-payments

It is possible that you may have a copayment. If you receive your Medicaid coverage through a Managed Care Organization, your member handbook will inform you of possible copayments for certain services or treatments.  If you receive your coverage through the Medicaid Fee-for-Service program, the following is a breakdown of your co-payment amounts: