In a spend down program, beneficiaries are required to do what?

In a spend down program, beneficiaries are required to pay part of their monthly expenses to reduce their income to qualify for Medicaid benefits. This is particularly relevant for individuals whose income is above the Medicaid eligibility threshold. By spending their income on medical expenses and necessary services, they effectively 'spend down' their resources to meet the criteria set by Medicaid.

The program is designed to allow individuals with excess income to become eligible for assistance by demonstrating that they have expenses that consume their income. Therefore, the requirement to cover part of their own expenses plays a crucial role in determining their eligibility, making it essential to understand how spend-down calculations work and the types of expenses that can be included.