For some citizens, the idea of paying for health insurance can seem overwhelming, given their financial circumstances. In instances where health insurance is not easy to come by, it is reassuring to know that there is a government funded program created to meet the needs of these American people. That being said, there are certain requirements that must be met in order to be considered eligible for Medicaid.
At the very basic level, Medicaid requirements include having documentation to prove United States citizenship. If this type of documentation is unattainable, then a person may also fulfill the requirements if they are a lawfully admitted immigrant. Regardless, proper documentation would have to be presented for both scenarios to fulfill the Medicaid requirements. Regarding children, it should be noted that even if a parent does not meet the citizenship Medicaid requirements, their child could be eligible. As long as the child has the proper documentation as explained above, they may be considered eligible for Medicaid regardless of a parent’s status.
Another important requirement of Medicaid deals with income and owned property. The eligible income brackets differ from state to state. In addition to income, there is a fixed amount of real property that is allowed to meet the Medicaid requirements. This deals specifically with land owned, bank accounts, and other assets. This requirement also varies from state to state so it is important to check with a local Medicaid office for specificity. It is important to note also that if a person is in a higher bracket they may still be eligible for a limited form of Medicaid insurance coverage. As an overall rule of thumb, people living with limited resources and income should apply for Medicaid.
After meeting those basic Medicaid requirements, it is important to understand the different groups that the insurance reaches out to. Per Medicaid requirements, a person must fall into one of these groups to be eligible for coverage:
- Pregnant women
- Children and teenagers
- Elderly (age 65 and above)
- Individuals who are blind
- Disabled persons
- Individuals who are leaving welfare
- Individuals living in nursing homes
Pregnant women are eligible for Medicaid if they meet the citizenship and low income requirements listed above. It is important to add that if a woman is pregnant, then both she and the child will be covered by Medicaid insurance. Another important detail to keep in mind is that a woman does not have to be single in order to be eligible for Medicaid. If a woman and her husband meet the requirements listed above, then she and the child can still be eligible to receive Medicaid benefits.
Children and teenagers are also eligible for Medicare as long as they meet certain requirements set forth. When applying, they must be 18 years of age or younger in most states. Some states allow children and teenagers to apply as long as they are under 21. It is important to check the eligibility requirements of your state. If the child or teen meets the age requirement for their state and they do not live at home, then they may get special permission from the state to be eligible for Medicaid.
Persons who are aged (over 65 years old), blind, or disabled are also eligible for Medicaid if they fall into a low income bracket with limited resources. It should also be added that this group includes those who are considered terminally ill and are seeking hospice services, as this is covered by Medicaid.
Citizens who have in the past been recipients of welfare but are leaving the program may also meet Medicaid requirements. For this specific group, it is important to acknowledge the fact that you do not have to be currently receiving welfare checks in order to receive Medicaid benefits.
There are many other special situations that may be considered in determining eligibility for Medicaid insurance through the government. If your income and resources are limited, it is important to consult a local government office to determine if you meet the Medicaid requirements.