Ohio Medicaid Health Insurance

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is a federal entity which oversees the United States' two national health programs. Medicare is designed for senior citizens, while Medicaid is meant for very low-income families, individuals and the disabled. While Medicare is handled mainly at the federal level, Medicaid is managed for the most part by the states, which are allowed to design certain aspects of their own Medicaid programs. Medicaid in Ohio is administered and supervised by the Department of Job and Family Services.

Eligibility

• Ohio's Medicaid programs are designated to serve specific populations. Pregnant women, women with breast or cervical cancer, the disabled, senior citizens and families with minor children are the main recipients of Ohio Medicaid benefits. Everyone who enrolls in Medicaid must meet income guidelines based on the federal poverty level. The exact amount of the income level depends on which population you belong to and what program you need to use. You must also be a citizen or legal resident of the United States and resident of Ohio to qualify for Medicaid.

Application Process

• Ohio's different Medicaid programs require different application forms. You can download these applications from the Department of Job and Family Services website in both Spanish and English. After providing all the information requested on your Medicaid form, you must also attach copies documenting your income, resources, citizenship and health conditions. Submit your paperwork to your local county Job and Family Services office. You can do so through the mail, by fax or in person.

Programs

• Ohio has several different kinds of Medicaid programs. Healthy Start is a Medicaid program for children under 19 and pregnant women. Both must have an income of less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Healthy Families is for families with minor children that make less than 90 percent of the federal poverty level. The elderly, blind and disabled may qualify for health care assistance through the Medicaid for Older Adults and People With Disabilities program. Employed people with disabilities who have incomes too high for other Medicaid programs may join the Medicaid Buy-In for Workers With Disabilities, which allows members to use Medicaid benefits for a monthly premium. Ohio also has a similar Children's Buy-In Program, for children from families with incomes higher than the standard Medicaid eligibility levels.

Benefits

• Ohio Medicaid is required by federal law to feature benefits for nurse practitioner and physician services, nursing facility care, home health, inpatient and outpatient care, lab work and X-rays, family planning counseling and supplies and medical and surgical dental and vision. Ohio also offers its own benefits for chiropractic services for children under 21, alcohol and drug treatment, dental care, prescription drugs, occupational and physical therapy, vision care, community mental health services and hospice.