Are medically needy individuals able to qualify for Medicaid with higher income or resources?

Medically needy individuals can qualify for Medicaid despite having higher income or resources under certain conditions. This is particularly true in states that have opted to use the medically needy pathway, which allows individuals with income above the standard Medicaid limits to qualify for benefits if they have high medical expenses.

In these circumstances, the incurred medical costs can effectively reduce the individual's available income, allowing them to meet the financial eligibility requirements for Medicaid. This means that if medically needy individuals can demonstrate that their medical expenses are substantial enough to bring their effective income down to the Medicaid eligibility level, they can indeed qualify for Medicaid, even if their income or resources are initially above the limits.

This pathway is distinct from general eligibility criteria that apply to other Medicaid populations, making it possible for those with high medical needs but also higher income to access necessary benefits. Therefore, the answer is correct, as it recognizes that medically needy individuals have a specific avenue through which they can qualify for Medicaid despite higher income or resources due to extensive medical expenses.