Ohio Medicaid Eligibility Requirements

The Ohio Medicaid program is a joint collaboration between the state of Ohio and the U.S. federal government. This program provides free health care to children, the elderly, the poor and those with disabilities. Medicaid services include home health services, surgeries, X-rays and diagnostic testing, dental services, outpatient services, and nursing home care. Medicaid recipients also receive free or reduced-cost prescription drugs. Eligibility is based upon income, age, disability and residency.

Residence

• All individuals applying for the Ohio Medicaid program must be residents of the state of Ohio. If you have lived in the state for at least one year, you are considered to be a resident. If you temporarily move from Ohio, you may still be considered a resident of the state as long as you do not become a resident in a new state. Applicants must also be citizens of the United States. The state of Ohio requires a legitimate Social Security number for an applicant to apply for benefits.

Age

• Ohio residents who do not have a disability may qualify for the Ohio Medicaid program based upon their age. Adults 65 years of age and older automatically receive coverage from either Medicare or Medicaid. Children under the age of 20 may also qualify for the Ohio Medicaid program if their parents cannot afford medical care.

Disabilities

• People who suffer from serious disabilities may be eligible for Ohio Medicaid benefits. People who suffer from HIV can qualify for Medicaid, as well as people who suffer from end-stage kidney failure. The blind and those with neurological illnesses, such as Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis, may also qualify for Ohio Medicaid. Pregnant women are also covered under the eligibility guidelines of the program.

Income

• Regardless of other considerations, Ohio Medicaid recipients must meet a means test that disqualifies individuals from the program if they earn too much money. This test is based upon the U.S. federal poverty level (FPL). This level varies by the cost of living in a local area. Senior citizens and disabled persons who are unemployed must have an income equal to or less than 64 percent of the FPL. Pregnant women may not exceed 200 percent of the FPL, while families cannot make more than 90 percent of the FPL. Ohio also offers Medicaid assistance programs that provide medical coverage to disabled or low-income workers who are currently employed.

Assets

• The state of Ohio also sets asset allowances. If individuals or couples have too many assets, they will not qualify for the program. Single persons who own a house worth less than $500,000 and a car worth less than $4,500 qualify for the program. Single Ohio residents may not have more than $1,500 in cash. Married couples may own a house and a car, but may not have more than $109,560 in cash as of 2010, or else they will not meet the requirements of the program.