Page 10

Louisiana Medicaid Eligibility Manual Eligibility Determinations

Reissued March 24, 2025 Replacing October 17, 2022

Page 10 of H-600 Revised/added text indicated by underscore

Deleted text indicated by “**”

H-640 EARLY WIDOW/WIDOWERS (EW/W) H-640.1 GENERAL INFORMATION OBRA of 1987 (P.L. 100-203) extended Medicaid coverage effective July 1, 1988, to individuals who receive SSI prior to age 60 and are required to file for RSDI early widow(er)s benefits at age 60 to 65 as long as:

• They were receiving SSI prior to the month they began receiving SSA RSDI Widow(er) benefits,

• They would continue to be eligible for SSI if the amount of the SSA RSDI benefit were not counted as income, and

• They are not entitled to Part A Medicare.

Medicaid coverage for this program continues to age 65 or until the beneficiary becomes entitled to Part A Medicare.

Note: Recipients of RSDI EW/W may become entitled to Part A Medicare prior to age 65 if:

• They qualify under renal dialysis or a kidney transplant provisions, or

• They may be concurrently drawing SSA disability benefits on his/her own SSN. Entitlement to Medicare based on this disability would begin with the 25th month of entitlement to such benefit.

H-641 ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION PROCESS Determine eligibility by applying the following criteria. The elements have been listed in the most logical order, but work on all steps simultaneously.