|  | Healthcare Industry | Health Insurance

Eligibility for Medicaid Benefits

Medicaid is a government program that offers health insurance to individuals with little or no income. Medicaid is managed at the state level, and each state has different services, coverage, application processes and eligibility requirements. Medicaid eligibility is based on your income and financial resources, citizenship, immigration status and other criteria, such as health conditions and disabilities. Information about state-specific Medicaid programs, including eligibility, is available through your state's Medicaid office--online, by telephone or in-person.

  1. Eligibility

    • Though each state may have different eligibility requirements for Medicaid, the federal government offers screening tools to determine if you might qualify. Benefits.gov has an online questionnaire that checks whether you may be eligible for Medicaid, among other government programs. You will still need to check with your state's Medicaid program to confirm eligibility requirements. Visit the federal benefits website, benefits.gov, for links and phone numbers to your state's Medicaid office.

    Children's Eligibility

    • Medicaid eligibility requirements for children are not the same as the requirements for their parents. The qualification criterion is based on financial need of the child, not the parents. Occasionally, parents may not qualify for Medicaid but their children will. Children in foster care or those who live with someone other than their biological parents may also meet Medicaid eligibility requirements. In addition to Medicaid, states offer children's health insurance plans (CHIP) for needy children.

    Alien's Eligibility

    • In most cases, immigrants with permanent legal U.S. status who have resided in the country for more than five years are eligible for Medicaid. These individual do not need to be considered U.S. citizens to qualify. Those in this country illegally are not eligible for Medicaid, nor do legal immigrants with less than five years of residence in the U.S. Depending on the state, legal immigrants may qualify for emergency medical services. The five-year eligibility requirement is often waived for refugees and those seeking asylum.

    Applying for Medicaid

    • Consult your state's department of insurance website to find out how to apply for Medicaid in your state. For direct links and phone numbers, visit benefits.gov and search by state. As Medicaid is state-specific, each state's application process may be different. You will likely have the option to apply online, by phone or in person. Representatives can help those who need translation or additional help with completing the Medicaid application.

Health Insurance - Related Articles