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Kansas Medicaid Eligibility Qualifications

The Kansas Medicaid program provides insurance to low-income families and certain individuals who meet the eligibility requirements. While Medicaid is a federally-funded program, all states have their own guidelines and criteria that applicants must meet. Coverage is available to the elderly and disabled, as well as pregnant women, infants and children under 19. There are also citizenship and residency requirements, though undocumented immigrants may received limited emergency coverage.

  1. Citizenship and Residency

    • Kansas Medicaid applicants must meet state-mandated citizenship and residency requirements. You must reside in Kansas to receive coverage in the state. If you move or relocate, you will need to submit a new application in your current state. Medicaid is only open to U.S. citizens and documented immigrants. To apply, you must present a certified birth certificate and copies of a government-issued identification card such as a social security card or naturalization documents. If you are an undocumented alien with a medical emergency, you may qualify for temporary limited coverage.

    Eligibility

    • In Kansas, Medicaid is available to infants, pregnant women, families with children under the age of 19, persons over the age of 65, and those who are disabled or blind. If you are pregnant, valid proof of pregnancy, either from a physician or health department, is required. The infant will be covered for the first year as long as the income requirements are met. Nursing home and hospice care are also provided to elderly and the disabled or blind, if deemed necessary.

    Income Limits

    • Income limits are based on the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). All sources of income, earned and unearned, are included. Your entire household income cannot exceed a certain percentage of the FPL, based on eligibility group and household size. Pregnant women and infants are allowed 150 percent of the FPL. Households with children under the age of five are limited to 133 percent. Working parents cannot exceed 34 percent. Nonworking parents can receive 27 percent of the FPL. In 2011, the FPL ranged from $10,890 for a single-person household to $37,630 for a household of eight (for each additional member beyond eight, add $3,820).

    Assets

    • Certain applicants can obtain coverage only if their assets (like bank accounts) do not exceed certain levels. Pregnant women, infants and children do not have to meet any asset limits. Adults, including the elderly, disabled and blind, are allowed no more than $2,000 per person and $3,000 per couple. If a spouse is entering a nursing home, the healthy spouse can maintain a maximum amount of $109,560 in assets, as of 2011. Not all assets are included: exempt assets include your home, vehicle, personal property and prepaid funeral and burial policies.

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