Apple Health Medically Needy (Spenddown)

The Medically Needy (MN) program is a federal- and state-funded Apple Health program for individuals who are aged, blind, disabled, pregnant, or a child with income above the applicable Categorically Needy (CN) limits. MN provides slightly less health care coverage than CN and requires greater financial participation. Enrollees are given a base period (typically three or six months) during which they incur medical expenses equal to the amount their income exceeds the MN income standard ('spenddown'). Once spenddown is met, MN coverage activates for the remainder of the base period. MN is also the path for institutionalized individuals whose income exceeds the LTSS Special Income Level (program codes L95/L99).