Medicaid is a nationwide program that provides health coverage for qualified, low-income, low-asset applicants, including seniors, people with disabilities, children and families. It is jointly operated by federal and state governments, and all states have participated since 1982. Many states administer their own Medicaid programs, while some states contract out Medicaid management to private insurance companies.
In the State of Washington, Medicaid is known as Apple Health. Benefits include a range of health care services, including preventative cancer screening, diabetes management and treatment of high blood pressure.
Adults 64 and under with a monthly income from all sources of $1,384 or less automatically qualify for a maximum of $16,752 in no-cost health coverage through Apple Health. Seniors who are 65 and older may be eligible for Long-Term Services under the Categorically Needy designation if they already receive Social Security benefits and their income from all sources is less than $771 for an individual and $1,157 for a couple. Note that asset limits of $2,000 per individual and $3,000 per couple also apply, and counted assets include cash, stocks and bonds.
For assistance with Apple Health enrollment, seniors in Kitsap County can contact a health navigator by calling the Washington Healthplanfinder at (855) 923-4633.
A limited number of Apple Health (Medicaid) waivers are available to help low-income seniors pay for assisted living services in Washington in situations where the cost of assisted living is lower than nursing home costs.
The Community Options Program Entry System is open to applications from seniors over the age of 65 and permanently disabled adults aged 18-64. The maximum annual income for COPES participants is $12,490, and assets are capped at $2,000; however, these limits may be waived in circumstances where the applicant has exceptionally high ongoing medical expenses.
Note that COPES enrollment is limited to 40,000 participants statewide, and acceptance is not guaranteed.
For more information about COPES, contact the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services at (800) 562-3022.