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Spend Down

Medicare Glossary

A process by which individuals whose income is above Medicaid limits become eligible for Medicaid by spending their excess income on medical bills and healthcare expenses until they reach the Medicaid eligibility threshold.

This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute a recommendation of any specific Medicare plan. Benefits, costs, and availability vary by plan and location. For complete information about your Medicare options, visit Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), TTY: 1-877-486-2048, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.