Question:
Has anyone used the medicade spend down program ?

if so i would like to know how that system worked. did you have to pay anything out of pocket? is it a long process? do you pay the out of pocket and then they reinburse you? any info. would be apprieciated! thanks bunches    — TIFFANY R. (posted on March 31, 2003)

March 31, 2003
The Medicaid spend down program is for necessary hospitalization. Basically, if you are hurt and encur a bill larger than your spend down amount then Medicaid picks up the rest. I think the spend down amount is around $1000. I would be very surprised if they actually paid for WLS. You would have to call your case worker and see if you can get prior approval. I can't believe a doctor would operate not knowing for sure if he would get paid. Good Luck!! Angela 8/8/03 324/215/150.
   — Angela A.

April 4, 2003
I have just recently applied for california spend down, and the amount of spenddown is based upon your income. Ihave insurance, but because I've had to go on disability I'm hoping that spenddown will pay the co-insurance and deductibles... so far my medical bills for the surgery are at $28000.00 I just applied for medical this past week and asked them to go back retro to my surgery date. Will keep you posted. Every state is different about the spend down amount. Missouri used to be that you only had to incur that amount... not pay it.... now they take your spenddown amount and pay everything but that.... but every state is different.
   — Kathy H.