What is Medical Assistance (also called MA, Medicaid, Title 19)?
Medical Assistance is a free health insurance program for disabled, blind or elderly individuals who have little or no income and resources. In Wisconsin, it is often called “Title 19.” Medical Assistance may pay for prescription drugs, doctor services, hospital care, skilled nursing care, nursing home care, dental care and more. NOTE: If you receive SSI, you will automatically receive Medical Assistance. If you receive SSDI, you may apply for Medical Assistance. If you earn more than Medical Assistance allows, but you meet the other eligibility requirements for this program, you may still qualify for the medically needy program. Under this program, you must pay or receive medical bills during a six-month period until you “spend down” to the qualifying income level. You can also use old, unpaid bills to meet your deductible. At this point, Medical Assistance pays for any remaining medical bills during that six-month period. Every six months a new “spend down” amount is determined and t
