Track: Cl Workshop: 156

1. Implementation Solutions to Increase Access to and Utilization of the Medicaid Buy-In for Working People With Disabilities in NYS 29th NYAPRS Annual Conference (Sept. 2011) John Allen, NYS OMH Fran Wishnick, NY Association on Independent Living Pat Dowse, NYS Rehabilitation Association Kelly Stengel, MPH, NYAPRS Track: ClWorkshop: 156

2. Importance of the Medicaid Buy-In Program for Working People with Disabilities (MBI-WPD) • Fear of losing medical benefits is one of the main reasons people with disabilities hesitate going back to work • MBI-WPD allows people to keep benefits while earning more than traditional Medicaid limits • Less than 10 percent of those that are eligible for the MBI program are enrolled

3. History of the Medicaid Buy-In Program for Working People with Disabilities (MBI-WPD) in NYS: • Created by BBA 1997; enhanced by Ticket to Work & Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 • NYS implemented the MBI-WPD program in July of 2003

4. Medicaid Buy-In Program for Working People with Disabilities (MBI-WPD): 101 Benefits: • Keep or get FULL Medicaid (even if you have Medicare) • No “spend-down” • No premium collected at this time Basic eligibility: • Have a disability (e.g., SSI, SSDI) • Have a job (Full time or part-time) • Be between 16 and 64 years of age Income Limit: up to $55, 476 per year ($74,580 for couples) Asset limits: $13,800 for individuals ($20,100 for couples)** (**) These asset limits will increase effective Sept 27th, 2011 to $20,000 and $30,000, respectively

5. Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) Service Providers • Goodwill of Greater NY and Northern NJ, Inc. • Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped • City University of NY Research Foundation (CUNY) • Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene • Resource Center for Independent Living • The New York State Commission on Quality of Care and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities • Independent Living, Inc • Abilities, Inc. • Neighborhood Legal Services • Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities

6. Barriers to Access and Utilization of the MBI-WPD • Individuals with disabilities (e.g., fears about losing benefits) • Providers (e.g., unaware of program) • Systemic (e.g., WMS, HRA systems) • Programmatic (e.g., disincentives)

7. What are the barriers that limit the access and utilization of the MBI-WPD program among people with disabilities in NYS?

8. How can we overcome the barriers to access and utilization of the MBI-WPD program? What program and policy recommendations do we have?

9. What next steps can we agree to take as state agencies, providers, advocates, and beneficiaries to increase access to the MBI in New York State?