How to Sign Up

Application

There are different ways to apply for Medicaid for Employed People with Disabilities (MEPD):

• Online using the Iowa HHS Benefits Portal. The Iowa HHS Benefits Portal lets you apply for other programs, like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or the Family Investment Program (FIP), at the same time.
• In person at your local Health and Human Services (HHS) office.
• By filling out a paper application and bringing it in person to your local Health and Human Services (HHS) office or faxing or mailing it to the address listed on the form.

Note: If you get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or are on SSI 1619(b), you don’t need to apply for MEPD, because you’ll get Medicaid coverage automatically and won’t have to pay a premium.

No matter how you apply, it is important to know that if you are not eligible for MEPD, you may be able to get private insurance subsidized by the government. Learn more in DB101's Buying Health Coverage on HealthCare.gov article.

Your Medicaid coverage starts on the first day of the month you apply. If you are pregnant, are a child, or live in a nursing facility, you may be able to get retroactive coverage for the three months before you applied.

Staying on Medicaid

Usually, once you are approved for MEPD, you continue to qualify as long as your situation does not change. If your income, immigration status, residency, disability status, or household size changes, or you turn 65, update your information with your local Health and Human Services (HHS) office within 10 days.

When you report your changes, your local Health and Human Services (HHS) office will tell you whether you will continue getting MEPD and if your premium will change. Note: Once your premium is set for each 12-month premium period, it will not go up for those 12 months, even if your income goes up. However, if you report that your income has gone down, your premium may go down.

Job Loss

To be on MEPD, you must be employed. But if you stop working, talk to your local Health and Human Services (HHS) office: You may be able to keep getting MEPD for up to six months while you look for new work, or you may qualify for another Medicaid program.

Medical Leave

If you go on medical leave from work, using either Family Medical Leave or short-term disability insurance, you will continue to be covered by MEPD.