The Medicaid Insurance for Workers with Disabilities (MIWD) program allows individuals with disabilities who are employed to qualify for and receive medical coverage even if their income makes it so they are otherwise not eligible for Medicaid.
In 2020, legislation was passed making changes to the program, creating two new eligibility groups. These changes went into effect on October 1, 2021 and bring modified standards for eligibility as well as lower premium caps. These changes allow more individuals to qualify for and maintain Medicaid benefits through the MIWD program.
The new MIWD program has two eligibility groups with new criteria.
The Social Security Administration's definition of a disability can be found on the Social Security Administration's website.
A medically improved disability in the MIWD program is defined as:
The changes participants will see are to income tests, and the removal of the Trial Work Period (TWP) requirement. Current participants will be reviewed for eligibility in the new program and will be notified by DHHS of any changes to their case.
A notice will be sent to the participant detailing the status of their eligibility in the new program. In the notice, the participant will find:
The benefits that participants receive in the MIWD program are no different than traditional Medicaid benefits. The services covered through Medicaid can be found on the Medicaid Services page.
There is not a separate application for the MIWD Program. Applicants submit a general application for Medicaid. Once the application is received, Medicaid staff sorts the applicant into the correct eligibility category. Applications can be submitted online through iServe.
These resources explain what has changed in the MIWD program, as well as providing an overview of what the program offers participants.