Medical assistance with a spend-down

An MA enrollee with excess income must incur medical expenses in an amount equal to the difference between the person’s income and the MA income standard. This difference is known as a spenddown. The person with excess income must have incurred medical expenses equal to or greater than the spenddown amount before MA coverage begins. The person is responsible for payment of the spenddown amount toward these expenses. MA pays for covered medical expenses in excess of the spenddown amount.