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State of Ohio Medicaid Requirements

Ohio Medicaid is a state and federal program, providing health care coverage to low-income individuals. Eligibility depends on income, age, citizenship and medical need. Individuals who do not meet income guidelines are encouraged to apply --- some childcare expenses, medical bills and income may be deducted before eligibility is calculated. Income requirements are based on Ohio Department of Job and Family Services 2009 guidelines.

  1. General Requirements

    • Ohio Medicaid is available to Ohio residents who meet applicable Federal Poverty Level FPL income requirements. Excluding exceptions, Ohio Medicaid recipients must be United States citizens or qualified aliens. Applicants must show proof of residency and identity and supply a Social Security number or apply for one.

    Qualified Aliens and Exceptions

    • Qualified aliens include but are not limited to legal permanent residents, refugee or asylum seekers and Amerasian, Haitian and Cuban immigrants. Individuals who don't meet Medicaid "qualified alien" status may be eligible if they served in the military, worked 40 quarters under the Social Security Act or lived in the United States prior to August 22, 1996. Additionally, non-qualifying aliens may receive temporary Medicaid for emergency services, including childbirth.

    Adults

    • Parents and caregivers of Medicaid eligible children may receive health coverage if their income does exceed 90 percent of the FPL. Pregnant women are eligible throughout pregnancy and 60 days following if their income is at or below 200 percent of the FPL. Women with breast or cervical cancer, including precancerous conditions, may receive Medicaid if they are uninsured and meet basic Medicaid eligibility requirements.

    Children

    • Ohio Medicaid's Healthy Start program provides coverage to uninsured children up to age 19 if the family income does not exceed 200 percent of the FPL. Insured children may be eligible for Healthy Start coverage if their family income is below 150 percent of the FPL. Infants are covered for a year after birth if the mother received Medicaid coverage during pregnancy.

    Older and Disabled Individuals

    • Adults age 65 and older and disabled individuals may be eligible for Medicaid if their income does not exceed $589 for individuals or $1,011 for couples. Additionally, resource limits of $1,500 to $2,250 apply. Working disabled adults may qualify for coverage if their income does not exceed 250 percent of the FPL with assets or resources valued at or below $10,580. Both older and disabled adults may qualify for the Spenddown program if they do not meet Medicaid income requirements. Under the program, medically needy individuals may deduct medical expenses from their countable income in order to qualify for Medicaid. Figures are as of November 2010.

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