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Alabama Medicaid Requirements

Alabama Medicaid offers health coverage and medical assistance to low-income and medically needy families. While most individuals must meet income requirements as part of the application process, Supplemental Security Income recipients are automatically eligible for benefits. Medically needy individuals are encouraged to apply for Alabama Medicaid as some sources of income are exempt and standard deductions apply before eligibility is determined.

  1. Eligibility Groups

    • Medicaid eligible groups include but are not limited to low-income children, adults with qualifying dependents, pregnant women, foster children, adults age 65 and older, and disabled individuals. Medicaid also provides health care coverage to women with breast or cervical cancer and offers family planning services to women of childbearing age.

    Citizenship and Residency

    • You must live in Alabama to apply for Medicaid benefits within the state. No set time exists that you must reside in the state to qualify for benefits, but you cannot have Medicaid benefits in another state and still qualify for Alabama Medicaid. You must be a United States citizen or living in the country legally for full Medicaid benefits. Unlawful residents may qualify for emergency Medicaid services only if they meet other eligibility criteria.

    Required Documents

    • You must supply certain documents as part of the application process. If you do not have documentation, your Medicaid eligibility may be delayed. Required documents may include identification and Social Security numbers for all household members, proof of citizenship --- such as a birth certificate or passport --- or naturalization papers, utility bills, proof of income, documentation for qualifying medical conditions and proof of residence. If you do not have all the required paperwork, your social worker can help you apply for or obtain certain documents.

    Income Limits

    • As of 2010, disabled individuals and adults 65 or older may qualify for Medicaid if their monthly income does not exceed $649 or $1,031 for couples. Qualifying individuals in nursing homes or institutionalized care may make up to 300 percent of the Federal Poverty Limit. Pregnant women and children up to age 5 have an income limit of 133 percent of the FPL. The income limit for children 6 to 18 is 100 percent of the FPL. Able-bodied adults with eligible dependents may receive benefits if their income is at or below 11.5 percent of the FPL.

    Medicare and Medicaid

    • If you are enrolled in Medicare, Alabama Medicaid may help pay for medical expenses as well as Medicare deductibles and co-pays. The amount of coverage available to you depends on your income and Medicare coverage. Generally, Medicare beneficiaries can earn between 100 and 135 percent of the FPL and qualify for Medicaid. As of 2010, working disabled adults may be eligible for coverage if their monthly income does not exceed $1,825 for singles and $2,449 for couples.

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