|  | Healthcare Industry | Health Insurance

The Criteria for Medicaid Eligibility in Michigan

Both Michigan and the federal government fund Medicaid to offer citizens with low incomes quality health insurance. U.S. News & World Report ranked Michigan’s Medicaid the10th best in the nation. Eligibility for Medicaid is based on whether an individual falls into a qualified population and meets low-income guidelines based on the federal poverty levels.

  1. Children

    • The two Medicaid programs available to children in Michigan are Healthy Kids and a program for those under 21. Healthy Kids is for those 19 years of age and younger. Assets are not counted for this program, but there is an income limit. Those who do not meet the income limits or are over 19 but under 21 may still qualify for Medicaid through the under-21 program. Those with higher incomes may have to pay a deductible.

    Pregnant Women

    • Pregnant women can qualify for Medicaid under two programs: Healthy Kids for Pregnant Women and Group 2 Pregnant Women. Healthy Kids for Pregnant Women has a more strict income eligibility guideline. If a woman's income is too high for Healthy Kids for Pregnant Women, she may qualify for Group 2 Pregnant Women. They are qualified for coverage during the pregnancy and for two months afterward, whether the pregnancy was followed through term or not.

    Adults

    • There are five adult populations (besides the ones mentioned elsewhere) that qualify for Medicaid in Michigan: caretakers, the elderly, the blind, disabled and disabled adult children. Caretakers (those who care for a dependent child), the elderly, blind and disabled are subject to income and asset eligibility guidelines.

    Families

    • Families that meet income and asset requirements are qualified to receive Medicaid for all members through the Low Income Families program. A service called Special N Support is also available to families who can’t qualify for Low Income Families because of child support payments, for up to four months.

    Income Guidelines

    • The Michigan Department of Community Health encourages anyone who thinks he may be qualified to apply, because everyone’s situation is different. Michigan’s Medicaid program is flexible, having many different options for different income levels.

      Kaiser Family Foundation reports that eligible pregnant women’s income is based on 185 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, while the elderly, blind and disabled are based on 100 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. Infants under 1 year of age are based on 185 percent and those under 19 are based on 150 percent. Caretakers are based on 64 percent.

Health Insurance - Related Articles