For older Americans and those who are disabled, many are forced to wait two years from retirement when their Medicaid coverage ends at 65 until their Social Security benefits take effect at 67. To remedy this issue, Representative Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ) has introduced bipartisan legislation with Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA), increasing the Medicaid buy-in age and expanding work opportunities for disabled adults.
As Rep. Ciscomani described, disabled adults are eligible to receive benefits private insurance does not provide, so long as they pay Medicaid premiums. However, upon turning 65, these same individuals can no longer access those benefits until they turn 67 when their Social Security benefits are activated. Thus if these individuals want to keep working, they cannot retain their Medicaid benefits.
Hence, Rep. Ciscomani's bill increases the buy-in limit for Medicaid coverage, allowing disabled adults to keep their benefits while working.
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In his press release, the Arizona Congressman said, "No one should have to choose between a paycheck and their benefits. By lifting the age limit for the Medicaid buy-in program, this legislation ensures that individuals with disabilities over the age of 65 can continue, if they choose, to work while maintaining vital Medicaid benefits they deserve. Ultimately, this allows individuals with disabilities to stay in the workforce and receive a paycheck, closing a gap in benefits that would have otherwise hurt them and take them out of the workforce."
Similarly, Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez added, "For people with disabilities who rely on home-based and long-term care through Medicaid Buy-In, an age cap for the program at 65 can present them with the difficult choice of either limiting their income to receive much-needed care through Medicaid or losing coverage by continuing to work and remain independent. By introducing this bipartisan legislation to expand eligibility for Medicaid Buy-In beyond 65, we can help more folks across Southwest Washington stay in their communities and have the choice to keep working until their Social Security benefits kick in or longer."
