COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY
Cabinet for Health Services • Department for Medicaid Services
What is the Disproportionate Share Hospital Program (DSH)?Under DSH, Medicaid participating hospitals in Kentucky provide inpatient hospital coverage and outpatient hospital coverage to qualified individuals and families. If an individual covered by DSH receives hospital services (acute care, psychiatric, rehabilitation), the covered individual is not billed for the hospital service(s).
However, the DSH program does not cover psychiatric care provided in a State-operated psychiatric hospital or non-emergency care provided in a hospital emergency room. In these situations, patients are responsible for payment of all such incurred charges. The DSH program is administered by the Department for Medicaid Services with responsibility for eligibility determinations delegated to hospitals.
Who is Eligible for DSH?
Individuals and families residing in the State of Kentucky who do not qualify for Medicaid may qualify for DSH if their income and resources are within DSH program guidelines. An individual's or family's gross annual income is considered and is compared to the appropriate family size.
The following income limits are used in the DSH eligibility determinations.
Family Size | Monthly Income | Annual Income | ||
1 | $903.00 | $10,830.00 | ||
2 | $1,214.00 | $14,570.00 | ||
3 | $1,526.00 | $18,310.00 | ||
4 | $1,838.00 | $22,050.00 | ||
5 | $2,149.00 | $25,790.00 | ||
6 | $2,461.00 | $29,530.00 | ||
7 | $2,773.00 | $33,270.00 | ||
8 | $3,084.00 | $37,010.00 |
Add $410.00 monthly, $3,600 annually for each additional person.
For eligibility determinations on and after February 1,1994, the following upper limits for countable resources shall be applicable: $2,000 for an individual; $4,000 for a family size of two (2); and $50 dollars for each additional family member.
Those assets considered as countable resources include cash, checking and savings accounts, stocks, bonds, equity above $4,500 in a vehicle, equity above $6,000 in non-homestead income producing property, and total equity in non-homestead non-income producing property.
Those assets considered as excluded (and not counted) include homestead property, household goods and furnishings, jewelry, clothing and other personal items.
Resources above the allowable amounts shall result in ineligiblity for benefits under DSH, but only to the extent that resources exceed the allowable upper limits; this means that resources can be spent down to establish eligibility.
Please call Jenny Lewis for any questions regarding DSH at (270) 251-4139 or call Amanda Douglas at (270) 251-4143.
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