
Missouri offers a variety of medical insurance coverage options to its locals. The state has a high percentage of uninsured individuals, with approximately 13% of residents under 65 lacking health insurance. To address this, Missouri provides free or low-cost health insurance plans through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace, Medicaid expansion, and short-term plans. The ACA Marketplace, accessible via HealthCare.gov, offers plans from nine private insurance companies. Missouri expanded Medicaid eligibility in 2021, allowing adults under 65 with incomes up to 138% of the poverty level to enroll. MO HealthNet, administered by the Department of Social Services, covers doctor visits, hospitalization, prescription drugs, and mental health services. Missouri also offers the Children's Health Insurance Program (MO HealthNet for Kids), providing similar comprehensive benefits to children in low-income families who don't qualify for Medicaid. Additionally, Missouri SHIP assists residents with understanding and enrolling in Medicare plans.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of insurance | Missouri's Official State Health Insurance Assistance Program (MO SHIP) |
| Type of insurance | Non-profit agency |
| Cost | Free |
| Services | Medicare counseling |
| Eligibility | Missouri residents with Medicare |
| Website | www.missouriship.org |
| Other options | ACA Marketplace plans, Medicaid, MO HealthNet, CHIP, short-term plans |
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What You'll Learn

Medicaid and MO HealthNet for Kids
In Missouri, Medicaid offers affordable health coverage to eligible individuals. The state expanded its Medicaid eligibility guidelines in 2021, allowing adults under 65 with a household income up to 138% of the poverty level to enrol. This expansion was implemented through the Affordable Care Act (ACA)'s Medicaid expansion, which Missouri voters approved.
MO HealthNet is Missouri's Medicaid programme. It aims to improve healthcare quality, enhance access to necessary services, and increase efficiency in healthcare delivery for eligible low-income individuals, including custodial parents, pregnant women, and children. MO HealthNet also administers the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), which provides comprehensive health, social, recreational, and wellness services to older adults, enabling them to live independently in their homes instead of nursing facilities.
The Health Insurance Premium Payment (HIPP) Program assists specific MO HealthNet enrollees in paying their health insurance premiums. Additionally, the Supplemental Nursing Care Program provides a monthly allowance of $50 for personal needs and a cash payment to residential care or assisted living facilities for those living in such facilities. MO HealthNet also offers Medicare Cost Savings Programs to help with Medicare premiums and copayments.
MO HealthNet for Kids is a component of the broader MO HealthNet programme, focusing on providing healthcare coverage for children from low-income families. This programme ensures that eligible children have access to the healthcare services they need, contributing to their overall health and well-being.
MO HealthNet for Kids may cover various services, depending on the specific needs of the child and the family's income level. These services can include regular check-ups, immunisations, doctor visits, hospital care, dental care, vision care, mental health services, and substance abuse treatment. The programme aims to ensure that children have access to preventative care and necessary treatments to promote their healthy development.
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Medicare Cost Savings Programs
Missouri offers three Medicare Cost Savings Programs to help with the costs of health insurance premiums and certain copayments:
Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Program
The QMB program is designed for individuals with a countable income of up to 100% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG) or $1,305 per month if living alone. This program covers all Medicare cost-sharing expenses, including Part B premiums, copayments, and deductibles.
Specified Low-Income Beneficiary (SLMB) Program
The SLMB program assists those with a countable income above 100% FPG but not exceeding 120% FPG, which equates to $1,565 or less per month for individuals living alone. This program covers the Part B premium but does not contribute to other expenses.
Qualified Individual (QI) Program
Also known as SLMB-2 in Missouri, the QI program is intended for individuals with a countable income above 120% FPG but not more than 135% FPG, which is $1,761 or less per month for those living alone. Similar to the SLMB program, the QI program covers the Part B premium but does not assist with other costs.
Other Cost-Saving Options
In addition to the three Medicare Savings Programs, Missouri offers other avenues for financial assistance with healthcare costs:
- Part D Extra Help: Also referred to as the Low-Income Subsidy (LIS), this option eliminates the need to pay a Part D premium or deductible and may result in lower copayments. Eligibility is determined by income and resource thresholds.
- Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE): This program, administered by MO HealthNet and Medicare, provides comprehensive health, social, recreational, and wellness services. PACE aims to enable older adults to reside in their homes instead of nursing facilities.
- Supplemental Aid for the Blind: This program extends a monthly cash grant and MO HealthNet coverage to blind individuals, aiding them in meeting their essential needs.
- Blind Pension: Blind Pension is a monthly cash grant paired with MO HealthNet coverage for blind persons who do not qualify for assistance through the Supplemental Aid for the Blind or Social Security programs.
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Supplemental Aid for the Blind
The Supplemental Aid for the Blind program in Missouri offers a monthly cash grant and healthcare coverage through the Missouri Medicaid (MO HealthNet) program to eligible individuals to help them meet their basic needs. This program is administered alongside the Blind Pension Program, which was established by Missouri statute in 1921.
To be eligible for the Supplemental Aid for the Blind program, individuals must meet certain criteria:
- They must be determined to be blind as defined by law, with vision less than 5/200 or a visual field of less than 5 degrees in the better eye.
- They must not have a valid driver's license in any state or territory and must not operate a motor vehicle.
- They must be willing to undergo medical treatment or an operation to cure their blindness, unless they are 75 years old or older.
- They must not be a resident of a public, private, or endowed institution, except a public medical institution.
- They must be a US citizen or a qualified non-citizen and live in Missouri.
- They must be 18 years of age or older, unless living in a state mental hospital, in which case the age requirement is 65 or older.
- They must provide a Social Security Number (SSN) or apply for one.
- They must not own resources over the limit for their household size.
The Blind Pension Program provides a monthly cash grant and healthcare coverage to eligible individuals who do not qualify for Supplemental Aid for the Blind or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. To be eligible for the Blind Pension Program, individuals must meet additional criteria, including not having a sighted spouse who is able to support them and not publicly soliciting alms.
For more information about the Supplemental Aid for the Blind program and the Blind Pension Program, individuals can contact the FSD Blind Service Center at 866-877-8155 or visit the Missouri Department of Social Services website.
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Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)
In Missouri, eligible individuals may access medical insurance coverage through various programs, including Medicaid and Medicare. One such program is the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE).
PACE is a comprehensive care program that aims to enable older adults to live independently in their homes instead of nursing facilities. It provides a wide range of services, including medical, social, recreational, and wellness offerings. An interdisciplinary team of health professionals, including experts in geriatric care, coordinates care for PACE participants. This team works with participants and their families to develop personalized care plans.
PACE participants have access to medical and personal care, rehabilitation, social interaction, medications, transportation, and more. The program covers prescription drugs, doctor care, transportation, home care, check-ups, hospital visits, and nursing home stays if necessary. Notably, PACE does not have co-pays, deductibles, or coverage gaps, ensuring that participants can access the care they need without financial barriers.
Financing for PACE is capped, which means providers are not limited to reimbursable services under traditional Medicare and Medicaid fee-for-service plans. Instead, they can deliver all the services that participants require. PACE becomes the sole source of services for Medicare and Medicaid-eligible enrollees, and individuals can leave the program at any time.
PACE is available to certain frail, community-dwelling elderly individuals, most of whom are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid benefits. This program provides a holistic approach to care, ensuring that participants receive the medical, social, and personal support they need to age in place safely and with dignity.
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Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace plans
The ACA Marketplace is a popular option for those without access to affordable employer-sponsored health coverage, such as early retirees not yet on Medicare, self-employed individuals, and employees of small businesses without health benefits.
To be eligible for financial assistance with ACA Marketplace coverage in Missouri, individuals must meet specific criteria. Firstly, they should not be eligible for affordable employer-sponsored health coverage, Medicaid/CHIP (MO HealthNet), or premium-free Medicare Part A. Additionally, eligibility for financial assistance depends on income levels, with those earning below certain thresholds qualifying for assistance.
Missouri has an open enrollment period for ACA-compliant individual and family health plans from November 1 to January 15. If individuals enroll by December 15, their coverage starts on January 1. However, if they enroll between December 16 and January 15, their coverage commences on February 1. Outside of the open enrollment period, Missouri residents can still make plan changes or enroll in the Marketplace if they qualify for a special enrollment period (SEP). Most SEPs are triggered by qualifying life events, such as involuntary loss of coverage, marriage, or having a baby. However, there are exceptions where a qualifying life event is not necessary, such as being eligible for premium tax credits with an income not exceeding 150% of the poverty level.
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