Medicaid Eligibility Requirements in the State of Maine

In Maine, the Medicaid program is known as MaineCare. The program provides health care coverage to residents who cannot afford the high cost of insurance. MaineCare pays for doctors' visits, hospitalization, prescriptions, immunizations, emergency services, dental care and many other treatments and services. To obtain an application, contact the nearest Maine Department of Human Services.

Residency and Citizenship

• To receive MaineCare coverage, you must be a resident and a U.S. citizen or legal immigrant. Non-citizens are only eligible for MaineCare emergency services. Proper documentation is required to verify citizenship and identity for all household members applying for coverage. You will need to submit a certified copy of your birth certificate, Social Security card, driver's license or state identification or a certificate of naturalization.

Eligibility Groups

• To receive MaineCare benefits, you must fall into one of several eligibility groups. The program is open to children under the age of 18, parents or guardians who live with children, the elderly, disabled or blind. There is assistance for medically needy individuals who do not meet the income criteria. A medically needy applicant meets the guidelines after subtracting monthly medical bills and expenses from her gross monthly income.

Income

• Income guidelines are based on the eligibility group and household size. Applicants must fall below the income threshold determined by the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). The income limit is 200 percent of the FPL for children 18 and under, infants and pregnant women. A pregnant woman is considered two household members. Two household members are restricted to $2,200 a month or less to be eligible as of 2011. Working parents are allowed 157 percent of the FPL. Unemployed parents can receive 150 percent of the FPL. For individuals who fall into the medically needy category, the income limit is 44 percent while couples are allowed 35 percent. Depending on your income, these expenses are deductions from earnings when figuring eligibility. Applicants who have child care expenses can deduct a monthly maximum amount of $200 per child under age two or $175 for each child over two years of age. Disabled individuals still working cannot exceed $2,257 a month. For elderly, disabled or blind individuals receiving Social Security benefits (SSI), the maximum income is $903.

Assets

• MaineCare has strict asset limits for applicants. Countable assets include cash, bank accounts, real estate property, vehicles and other liquid assets. Your home, primary vehicle and personal possessions are exempt. There are no asset restrictions for children or pregnant women. A parent or guardian living with children under the age of 18 is allowed $2,000 in countable assets. A couple is allowed $3,000. The elderly, disabled or blind, without children in the household, are allowed $8,000 for a single person and $10,000 for a couple.