MAWD

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• MAWD
• Medical Assistance for
• Workers with Disabilities
• Medicaid in Pennsylvania
• Department of Public Welfare
• March 2006

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MAWDPennsylvanias Medical Assistance for
Workers with Disabilities

• Implemented January 1, 2002
• MAWD is an Optional Medicaid Group established by
  the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives
  Improvement Act
• State funding established by PAs Tobacco Master
  Settlement Agreement.

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MAWDPennsylvanias Medical Assistance for
Workers with Disabilities

• Implemented by DPW to improve access to health
  care for individuals with disabilities who work.
• A lack of access to health care is seen as a
  barrier to employment for individuals with
  disabilities.

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MAWDPennsylvanias Medical Assistance for
Workers with Disabilities

• MAWD, as an employment incentive, could be used
  with programs offered by other groups
• The Social Security Administration
• PA Department of Labor and Industry Office of
  Vocational Rehabilitation
• PA Department of Transportation
• PA Department of Education

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MAWDWho Could be Using MAWD?

• If you are employed, receive SSDI, and are
  waiting for Medicare
• If you receive SSDI and Medicaid and could become
  ineligible due to working
• If you receive SSI and are going to lose benefits
  due to earnings and/or assets
• If you are employed, not receiving Social
  Security benefits, but would otherwise be
  eligible (including youth in transition)

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MAWD Eligibility Groups

• Worker with a Disability
• Worker with a Medically Improved Disability
• Not all states have this group

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MAWD Worker with A Disability

• Employed and Disabled (Per SSA)
• 16 - 64 years of age
• Monthly Income less than 250 of the Federal
  Poverty Guideline
• Countable resources less than or equal to 10,000

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MAWD Worker with a Medically Improved Disability

• Previously covered as a Worker with a Disability
• Have a disability that NO LONGER MEETS SSAs
  requirements.
• Employed at least 40 hours per month
• Earning at least the applicable minimum wage
• Age, income, and resource requirements are the
  same as Worker with a Disability

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MAWD How Much can I Earn and Still be Eligible?

• For the year 2006 (assuming standard deductions)

Examples of Unearned Income Social Security
Disability, Survivors, or a Pension
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MAWD Premium

• All participants pay a 5 monthly premium based
  on net monthly income, after allowable deductions
• Participants are billed monthly and are
  responsible for monthly payments
• Average Monthly Premium is 43.00

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MAWDMAWD and HCBS Waivers

• Individuals enrolled in MAWD may apply for Home
  and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver
  Programs
• Individuals enrolled in HCBS WAIVER PROGRAMS may
  apply for MAWD
• New applicants may apply for both

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MAWDMAWD and HCBS Waivers

• Non-Financial Eligibility
• Must meet AGE requirements for both MAWD and the
  appropriate HCBS Waiver Program
• Must meet BOTH the MAWD DISABILITY requirements
  and CLINICAL ELIGIBILITY for the HCBS Waiver
  Program
• Must be EMPLOYED to be eligible for MAWD
• Must pay MONTHLY PREMIUM to be eligible for MAWD

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MAWDMAWD and HCBS Waivers

• Financial Eligibility
• MAWD income limits are used
• Use 250 of the Federal Poverty Guideline
• Note that spousal income is counted for MAWD
• MAWD resource limits are used
• Look-Back does NOT APPLY
• Estate Recovery DOES APPLY for individuals 55
  years of age or older

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MAWDMAWD and the Medicare Modernization Act

• If you have MAWD and are on Medicare
• Beginning January 1, 2006, most of your
  prescription drugs will be covered by Medicare
  instead of MAWD.
• For more information, call the Medicare Helpline
  at
• 1-800 MEDICARE, or 1-800-633-4227
• Or visit the CMS website at
• www.cms.hhs.gov or www.medicare.gov

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MAWD Enrollment Trend

• Implemented January 1, 2002

6909 enrolled as of January 31, 2006
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MAWDOther Information about MAWD

• You do not need to be receiving Social Security
  benefits to qualify for MAWD
• DPW encourages individuals who are self-employed
  to develop viable, self-sustaining businesses
• Individuals who are already eligible for Medicaid
  (Waivers, for example) can benefit from MAWD by
  increasing their earnings and personal savings.

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MAWD For More Information on MAWD

• DPW Website - www.dpw.state.pa.us
• More info about MAWD can found by clicking on
• Services for Pennsylvanians with Disabilities
  
• and then, Medical Assistance.
• Apply for Medicaid Benefits using COMPASS
• www.compass.state.pa.us
• Contact Your Local County Assistance Office
• or call 1-800-692-7462
• MAWD Brochures and Educational Kits can be
  ordered by calling [phone]