Medicaid for Employed Adults with Disabilities (MEAD) program provides Medicaid coverage to adults with disabilities who are working and who would not otherwise be financially eligible for Medicaid.  MEAD was designed to allow individuals with disabilities to increase their working income and have higher resource limits.

Eligibility requirements:

• Age Requirement: 18 through 64.
• Employment Status: Employed or self-employed for pay.
• Medical Criteria: Meets the blindness or disability criteria established by the State of NH.
• Net Income limits (monthly): $4,062.00 (group size 1), $5,464.00 (group size 2) From 3-01-09 to 2-28-10.
• Countable Resources Limits: $24,991.00 (group size 1); $37,487.00 (group size 2) From 3-01-09 to 2-28-10.

Resources not counted include:

• Retirement Accounts  (spouses' Retirement Account is counted).
• MEAD Employability Accounts are accounts for purchasing certain goods and services not covered by Medicaid that assist their employability.
• Medical Savings Accounts
• MEAD Earned Income Protected Account  is a separate bank account containing a MEAD recipient's job earnings that are not counted when the recipient leaves the MEAD Program and is eligible for Medicaid under another eligibility category. 

MEAD premium costs:

Monthly premium costs begin at $102 when your monthly "net" income reaches over $1,354 or approximately $2,708 gross income.  Premium payments are due the first day of each month.  Health insurance and Medicare costs for you and members of your family may be subtracted from the premium cost.

Retroactive Medicaid coverage:

Retroactive Medicaid coverage may be requested for up to three months if you were working prior to your Medicaid application.  Premium costs for retroactive months along with first monthly premium payment is included in your first billing. 

Medicaid In & Out eligibility and MEAD:

People with In & Out eligibility may enroll in MEAD if they meet the eligibility criteria.   There is no "spend down" in MEAD.

Medicaid waiver services and MEAD:

There is no waiver "cost-of-care" payment if you are enrolled in MEAD.

Unemployment Grace Period:

• There is a six-month grace period to remain in the MEAD program if you meet the criteria.
• An additional 6-month extension period may be granted if you meet the criteria.

Employer health insurance:  

State law requires the individual to be enrolled in employer-sponsored health insurance, if free of charge.

MEAD and other benefits:

Changes in income may affect other benefits, such as Social Security, Food Stamps, & Housing Assistance.

Contacts to get information about how work impacts benefits:

• Benefits Planners at Area Agencies for Developmental Services or Community Mental Health Center
•  Work Incentives Coordinators at Granite State Independent Living (GSIL) may also be able to provide assistance and may be reached at 1-800-826-3700 V/TTY.

Where to apply and get more information:

• Family Services Specialist at your local District Office
• Work Incentives Coordinator at Granite State Independent Living - 1-800-826-3700 V/TTY.
• Medicaid Client Services has a Help Line for all Medicaid recipients – Tel. No. 1-800-852-3345 Ext. 4344.

For more detailed information on MEAD – click here to open MEAD Brochure