The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on Wednesday released an informational bulletin with updated federal poverty level standards applied to eligibility criteria for Medicaid.
The 2024 guidelines reflect a 4.1% price increase between calendar years 2022 and 2023, the agency said.
For 2024, the poverty guideline in all states except Alaska and Hawaii is $15,060 for a one-person family/household and $20,440 for a two-person family/household.
The 2024 standards for individuals dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid:
- For qualified Medicare beneficiaries, the monthly income limit is 100% of the federal poverty level plus $20. For all states except Alaska and Hawaii, dollar amounts are $1,275 per individual and $1,274 per couple. Asset limits are $9,430 for individuals and $14,130 per couple.
- For specified low-income Medicare beneficiaries, the monthly income limit is 120% of the federal poverty level plus $20. For all states except Alaska and Hawaii, dollar amounts are $1,526 per individual and $2,064 per couple. Asset limits are $9,430 for individuals and $14,130 per couple.
- For qualifying individuals, the monthly income limit is 135% of the federal poverty level plus $20. For all states except Alaska and Hawaii, dollar amounts are $1,715 per individual and $2,320 per couple. Asset limits are $9,430 for individuals and $14,130 per couple.
- For qualified disabled working individuals, the monthly income limit is 200% of the federal poverty level plus $20. For all states except Alaska and Hawaii, dollar amounts are $5,105 per individual and $6,899 per couple. Asset limits are unchanged from last year, at $4,000 for individuals and $6,000 per couple.
The annual updates to the standards, required by law, account for the increase in the Census Bureau’s current official poverty thresholds by the relevant percentage change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers. The asset limits are not derived from the poverty levels but are instead based on a statutory formula described in section 1905(p)(1)(C) of the Social Security Act, CMS said.
For additional information, see the CMS bulletin and the Department of Health and Human Services notice published Jan. 17 in the Federal Register.
