Begin Authorization Date

Medicaid eligibility begins on a specific day in the month. This day is called the Begin Authorization Date (BAD).

Medical expenses incurred prior to the BAD in a month will not be paid by Medicaid. The BAD can be any one of the following dates:

the first day of the month if De Facto eligibility is established

the first day of the month if the spenddown is met using only unpaid medical bills incurred prior to the month

the day in the month in which the spenddown is met using bills incurred during the month or a combination of bills incurred during and prior to the month. (This day could also be the first day of the month.)