New Hampshire Medicaid / Medical Assistance

Medicaid, also called the Medical Assistance (MA) program in New Hampshire, is a government health insurance program that helps certain people get health care services at a lower cost. This includes people who are older, blind, or living with a disability.

What does New Hampshire’s Medical Assistance program cover?

New Hampshire Medicaid / Medical Assistance pays for routine and acute health care services. This includes:

• Visits to health care providers (including physicians and nurse practitioners)
• Inpatient and outpatient hospital services
• Early and periodic screening, diagnostic, and treatment services
• Preventive care (e.g., vaccinations)
• Lab tests and X-rays
• Dialysis services
• Mental health services
• Substance use treatment
• Rural health clinic services
• Medical transportation
• Long-term care (e.g., nursing facility care, home health services)

Most states also cover optional services such as:

• Physical, respiratory, and occupational therapy
• Home- and community-based care
• Case management
• Prescription drugs
• Dental and vision care

Since the program serves those with limited income and resources, people with New Hampshire Medicaid pay few to no out-of-pocket costs.

To get coverage once you are enrolled, you must go to health care providers that take part in the Medicaid program.

How do I know if I qualify for Medicaid in New Hampshire?

Generally, to be eligible for Medicaid in New Hampshire, you must:

• Be a New Hampshire resident
• Be a U.S. citizen or a qualified non-citizen
• Meet specific income and/or asset limits

For certain Medicaid programs, you must also meet additional requirements. If you need help with your health care coverage and costs, you should apply for Medicaid even if you think you are over the income limit or your assets are too high. This is because:

• Not all types of income are counted toward the income limit.
• You may qualify for a different form of health care assistance. For example, if you have Medicare, you may qualify for a Medicare Savings Program (MSP).
• If you are over the income limit, but you have very high medical costs, you may be able to qualify for the In and Out Medical Assistance (Medicaid Spend-down) Program.

What are the different Medicaid programs in New Hampshire?

You may be able to get health coverage if you fall into one of the following categories:

Medicaid for Aged, Blind, Disabled (ABD)

To receive Medicaid coverage under this category, you must be age 65 or older, blind, or living with a disability.

The Granite Advantage Health Care Program

This is New Hampshire’s Medicaid expansion program. It provides free or low-cost health insurance to adults ages 19 to 64 who have low income and do not qualify for Medicare.

Choices for Independence Program

This Medicaid program helps older and chronically ill adults in New Hampshire get care at home instead of moving into a nursing home. These services can include case management and help with bathing, dressing, meals, housework, and more. The aim of this program is to help people stay safe, healthy, and independent in their own homes or communities for as long as possible.

Medicaid for Employed Adults with Disabilities (MEAD) and Medicaid for Employed Older Adults with Disabilities (MOAD)

Medicaid for Employed Adults with Disabilities (MEAD) and Medicaid for Employed Older Adults with Disabilities (MOAD) both provide Medicaid coverage to adults who have disabilities and are working. MEAD can help you if you work and are 18 to 64 years of age. MOAD can help you if you work and are 65 years of age or older.

Both programs have higher income and resource limits than other Medicaid programs. Some people who are eligible for MEAD may be required to pay a monthly premium.

Nursing Home Medicaid

This program helps pay for care in a Medicaid-approved nursing home if you have low income, limited assets, and need daily help from a nurse. It covers things such as room and board, help with daily activities (like bathing or dressing), meals, and medical care. To qualify, you must meet certain health and financial guidelines.

In and Out Medical Assistance (Medicaid Spend-down) Program

The In and Out Medical Assistance Program lets you get Medicaid benefits even if your income is higher than Medicaid program guidelines. It works by letting you spend down your income so that you meet Medicaid income limits. The spend-down amount is the amount of income that is over the Medicaid limit. This amount is different for each person.

To get Medicaid / Medical Assistance benefits, you must submit current paid or unpaid medical bills equal to or greater than your monthly spend-down amount. Once your medical bills reach this amount, you will get Medicaid coverage for the rest of the calendar month. While using Medicaid to pay for your medical expenses, you should use a health care provider who takes part in the Medicaid program.

Examples of health care-related expenses to spend down your income on include:

• Medications
• Paid medical bills
• Unpaid medical bills (if they were outstanding 3 months prior to the date of your Medicaid application)
• Nursing home care
• Health-related home renovations, such as wheelchair ramps or chair lifts
• Transportation to medical appointments

How do Medicare and Medicaid work together?

Medicaid / Medical Assistance pays for some services not covered by Medicare. If you get Medicare, you may also be able to get help from New Hampshire Medicaid. Millions of Americans have both Medicare and Medicaid coverage. This is called being "dual eligible."

If you have Medicare and qualify for full New Hampshire Medicaid coverage, the state will pay your Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) monthly premiums. Depending on the level of Medicaid you qualify for, the state might also pay for:

• Your share of Medicare costs, like deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments
• Part A (Hospital Insurance) premiums, if you have to pay a premium for that coverage

In addition, if you are dual-eligible for Medicare and Medicaid:

• You will automatically be signed up for the Low-Income Subsidy (LIS)/Extra Help program through Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage). This program helps people with low income pay for their medicines.
• You may be able to get your coverage through a Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plan (SNP) instead of having original Medicare with separate Medicaid coverage. This plan can help you manage the health care services you need. SNPs may also offer more benefits than what you already get from original Medicare. In some cases, you may have no monthly premiums and/or you may pay lower co-payments. All SNP plans are different, so check with the plans to see what they cover and if you can enroll.

Note: SNPs are not available in every community. To find out if there is an SNP in your area, visit the Medicare website or call 1-800-633-4227 or or call 1-877-486-2048(TTY).

How do I prepare to apply for New Hampshire Medicaid?

When you apply for New Hampshire Medicaid / Medical Assistance, you’ll be asked for important information to help determine if you qualify for benefits. Before you start, gather some basic information to make your application process easier: 

• A document that shows your age, such as your birth certificate or driver’s license
• Your Social Security card
• Pay stubs for anyone in your household who has earned income
• Documentation that shows any other form of income, such as letters from Veterans Affairs (VA) or the Social Security Administration (SSA)
• Information about your financial assets, such as bank account or investment account statements

How do I apply for New Hampshire Medicaid?

There are a few different ways you can apply for Medicaid in New Hampshire. Read below to learn more about which option might be right for you.

The quickest and easiest way to apply for New Hampshire Medicaid is online through the NH EASY website. To apply online, you will need to sign into an existing account or create a new account. Once you are logged in, you may complete and submit the Medicaid application. All your personal information is kept 100% confidential and protected by special security technology.

Apply through NH Easy

You can download and print a paper Application for Assistance, complete it, and mail it to your local DHHS Office. You can also drop it off in person at the office.

How can I get help with my application?

• Contact your local DHHS Office directly.
• Visit a Benefits Enrollment Center (BEC), if there’s one near you. See if there’s one in your area.

NCOA also has a HelpLine you can call to get free support. To get started today, call 1-800-794-6559.