If you have been struggling to make sense of what you need to apply for Medicaid, you aren’t alone. Figuring out how to apply for Medicaid isn’t an easy task.
Medicaid is funded by the federal and state governments, this means the process can be very different, depending on which state you reside in.
Those who fall within the income limits in their state and are over the age of 65 are typically eligible for Medicaid coverage. If this describes your situation, you will find the rest of the information you need in order to get your application approved with little to no hassle.
Since the process of the application and even the name of the program varies from state to state, I have compiled the following information about the Medicaid program in each state:
Throughout this article, you will learn about the documents you will need to apply, how to start the process, how to renew your application, and the conditions that need to be met in order for your application to be approved.
You will also find resources for affordable health insurance if your application is not approved, due to not meeting the financial requirements.
Whether you are approved or denied, this article will aid you in getting the health care that you need for a price that you can afford.
Before you apply, it will be a much smoother process if you can get ahold of all the documents you may need in advance. This will reduce the risk of your application getting delayed or even denied mistakenly.
When you are getting ready to apply for Medicaid, you should organize the following documents of proof:
Once you have all of these on hand, you are ready to apply. The next step is to learn how to go about doing so in your state of residence. The rest of this article is dedicated to helping you do just that, so read on!
The financial limits are different from state to state and also fluctuate from year to year, so I have not included the current income and asset limits at the time of writing.
There is an online calculator available through the US government’s Healthcare Marketplace website, which will calculate your eligibility based on the most up-to-date limits in your state.
Follow the link here to find out if you are eligible, based on your age and income. All you will need to provide is your state, number in household, and estimated income in the current year.
The number in your household will just refer to yourself, spouse if you have one, and any dependents living with you.
Each state has its own methods of applying online, by phone, by mail, or in person. However, there is also another resource available to apply for Medicaid.
If you apply through the marketplace, you may need to have access to a scanner. You will need to upload documents to the website or mail copies.
In the event that you are not approved for Medicaid, other Marketplace insurance plans are available to you. If your application for Medicaid through Marketplace is denied, then you would be able to use the uploaded documents in order to apply for other coverage.
There are some exceptions to who is able to buy insurance through the Marketplace. If you are living outside of the United States, not a citizen or lawful resident, or presently incarcerated, then you would not be able to apply for coverage through the Marketplace.
Depending on your income, you would potentially be eligible for a tax credit. This would lower your monthly expenses for healthcare, even if you did not get approved for Medicare.
What is the window to apply for Medicaid?
There is not an enrollment window to apply for Medicaid. You are able to apply at any point in the year.
How Do I Reapply for Medicaid?
You will need to renew your membership annually, and you will do so in the same place that you initially applied. Each state has their “apply” and “renew” processes linked, so just be sure to select the option that best describes you when you start the process each time.
You can always renew through the state benefits website or through the Healthcare Marketplace. Most states also have the option for in-person, by mail, or over the phone for applying and reapplying.
Will Medicaid Cover My Portion of Medicare Costs?
Yes! If your Medicare coverage does not cover an appointment in its entirety, then the benefits of your Medicaid assistance can be used for these expenses.
What do I need to report as income?
Any earnings from a job, investments, child support, alimony, or social security would need to be included in the income calculation. If you are not sure about a source of funds, it is always better to check with your state, using the phone number provided above.
Do all doctors accept Medicaid?
No, but most do. Follow this link for your state’s Medicaid website to check for doctors that do accept Medicaid.
What are considered “assets”?
Assets can be the property you own, such as cars, real estate, or jewelry. Money that is in savings or investment accounts will also be considered assets.
If I have more than the approved limit on assets, can I transfer them to someone, other than me or my spouse, to get approved?
No, this would fall into grounds where you would incur penalties and not be able to collect benefits for a set amount of time, depending on the decision made upon the discovery of the transfer.
The penalty would potentially result in your not being approved for benefits that you would have otherwise been approved of, so this is not something you should try.
If my application is approved, what will Medicaid cover?
This is another one of those questions where the answer depends on the state you reside in. There are federal minimums that all of the states are required to meet, but all have some coverages that extend beyond this minimum.
The best way to check what is covered is to find the link above for your state and find information. You can also follow the link here to read an article on Medicaid benefits, state by state.
Are there any copays for services with Medicaid?
Yes, there are some visits that will have a copay. The amount will differ, depending on state and service but they are historically low costs, usually not exceeding $5. Many services do not have copays, such as preventative services.