Qualifications for Pennsylvania Medicaid

Medicaid is a federal health assistance program which is administered independently by each state in the U.S. Pennsylvania's Medicaid program provides health care services for approximately 1.9 million of the state's residents, according to Quikbrochures. Services offered under Medicaid include comprehensive inpatient and outpatient health care coverage. Other medically necessary items such as prescription drugs and preventive care may also be covered on a case by case basis. Pennsylvanians must meet several qualifications before they can receive any Medicaid benefits.

Groups That May be Eligible for Medicaid

• Only certain groups qualify for Medicaid in Pennsylvania. Medicaid generally covers low-income individuals, families with children, pregnant women, the elderly, people with disabilities and medically needy individuals with extensive health problems. Of course, people in all of these groups must meet additional state guidelines to qualify for acceptance into the program and payment of benefits.

Residency Requirements

• Pennsylvania's Medicaid program imposes strict residency requirements. Qualified recipients must be able to provide proof of identity in the form of a state or federally issued photo identification card and Social Security card along with proof of residency in Pennsylvania. In addition, recipients have to show proof of citizenship or legal status in the country. Legal residents in Pennsylvania who are not U.S. citizens may still be eligible for Medicaid, but non-citizens without the proper immigration documents cannot enroll.

Income Qualifications

• Eligible recipients must also meet household income requirements to qualify for Medicaid in Pennsylvania. Income limits vary depending on the applicant as well as the coverage being applied for. Medicaid administrators will review sources of income including wages, self-employment earnings, pensions, Social Security disability and retirement benefits, veteran's benefits, dividends as well as interest earned on investments. Income sources that do not count against applicants include Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), food stamps, energy assistance, foster care payments and housing subsidies. People with chronic conditions and extremely high medical expenses should be aware that even if their earned incomes exceed state limits, they may still qualify for Medicaid if their total medical expenses subtracted from their incomes places their net earnings within the qualifying range.

Resource Limits

• Applicants also have to meet resource limits to qualify for Medicaid in Pennsylvania. Counted resources refer to assets such as cash on hand, bank accounts, stocks and bonds, trust funds, life insurance and multiple vehicles. Other assets including homes, irrevocable burial trusts and a single motor vehicle are not counted against the applicant. People with abundant resources and assets may not qualify for Medicaid, while those with relatively few holdings have a better chance of getting accepted.

How to Apply

• Residents of Pennsylvania can apply for the Medicaid program and renew their benefits online using COMPASS, the state's Internet portal for public welfare services. People can also apply in person as Department of Public Welfare offices across the state.