Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Alabama Medicaid has three programs for people who have Medicare coverage: The Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program, the Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) program, and the Qualifying Individual (QI-1) program. The services you get depend on how much income you have. These programs pay Medicare premiums, and in some cases, Medicare deductibles and co-insurance. There are some people called “dual eligibles” who receive full coverage under both programs.

Refunds come from the Social Security Office and usually take 30 to 90 days from the date you were awarded Medicaid.

Recipients will only receive a refund for premiums that were charged to the recipient and paid by Medicaid. A refund will not be issued for months the recipient was not on a Medicaid program that pays the Medicare premiums.

Contact the Medicaid Buy-in Unit at: 334-242-5268 or 334-353-5773.

There can be several reasons: 1) If your annual review was not turned in and your case was terminated, then Medicaid would no longer pay the Medicare premiums. Contact your eligibility worker to determine if your case is active or if you need to re-apply. 2) If you receive SSI and lost your SSI benefits then Medicaid would no longer pay your premiums. Contact eligibility for an application to see if you qualify for any other Medicaid program that would pay your premiums, and 3)If your case is suspended at Social Security due to an address issue then Medicaid would stop paying the premiums. To start back the premium payment contact the Medicare buy-in unit at: (334) 242-5268 or (334) 353-5773.

Yes. a) If there is a spouse residing in the home; b) If there is a child under age 21 or blind or disabled residing in the home; or c) If there is a sibling of the Medicaid recipient who has an equity interest in the home and is currently residing in the home and has been residing continuously in the home for at least one year immediately before the date of the individual’s admission to the institution.

Estate Recovery will be delayed until after the death of the surviving spouse, if any, and if; a) There is a child under 21 years of age; or b) There is a blind or totally and permanently disabled child in the home. In the case of liens placed on the home, recovery will be delayed until after the death of the surviving spouse, if any, and if: a) A sibling is lawfully living in the home and was lawfully residing continuously in the home for at least one year immediately prior to the claimant being admitted to the medical institution; or If there is a son or daughter of the Medicaid recipient who is and has been residing in the home for at least two years immediately before the date of the individual’s admission to the institution, and has been residing there on a continuous basis since that time. The son or daughter would have to establish to the Alabama Medicaid Agency’s satisfaction that they were providing care which permitted the individual to reside at home rather than in a medical institution.