Michigan Medicaid Eligibility Requirements

Michigan's Medicaid Plan is actually a set of programs that target the various groups that Medicaid is supposed to serve. The state plan is funded in part by the federal government's Medicaid program, so Michigan must meet the federal eligibility requirements and other guidelines at a minimum. However, Michigan's program can be less restrictive than the federal government's.

Children

• Children under age 19 who are from low-income families can receive health care under the Healthy Kids Program. If the family passes the income test, the children can be enrolled in a Medicaid plan to receive health, vision, dental and mental health services. Children under 21 can receive health care through the Under 21 program. Eligibility is determined with an income test and an asset test. If the minor's income exceeds the program limit, he can still receive services but will pay a deductible. Disabled children in low-income families can receive monthly benefits from the Supplemental Security Income program if they meet the Social Security Administration's definition of disabled and their family passes the income test.

Pregnant Women

• Low-income pregnant women can receive health care while they are pregnant and for two months after their pregnancies end. They must pass the income test for the program. If the woman cannot pass the test, she may still be eligible for services under the Group 2 Pregnant Women program, though some payment will be expected. The Maternity Outpatient Medical Services program provides prenatal care for women who have a Medicaid application pending, teens who did not apply for Medicaid for confidentiality reasons and non-citizens (who can receive emergency services only).

Adults

• Parents and people who act as parents for a child may qualify for the Caretaker Relatives program if they pass an income test and an asset test. The program provides health, dental, vision and mental health services at little or no cost. However, if their income exceeds the program limits, the parent may still qualify but will have to pay deductibles. The Supplemental Security Income program pays monthly benefits to low-income adults who are aged, disabled or blind. Medicaid is available to the seniors, the blind and the disabled if they pass income and asset tests. If the person's income is over the program limit, she may still qualify but will have to pay a deductible. The Disabled Adult Children program is for adults who became disabled or blind before age 22 and are receiving Medicaid as an adult.

Families

• A family who passes income and asset tests may qualify for the Low-Income Family Program that provides benefits to eligible families. If a family in this program becomes ineligible because of income from child support, the family can continue receiving support for four additional months under the Special N Support program. As family income continues to rise, the families can transition out of the Low-Income Family Program and into the Transitional Medical Assistance and Transitional Medical Assistance Plus programs. The programs have higher income limits and also higher costs to the families.