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Qualifications for Colorado Medicaid

Colorado's Medicaid program is available to low-income families, disabled or blind individuals, elderly residents and pregnant women. Medicaid provides these groups with subsidized government funding for hospital and physician visits. There are different types of Medicaid programs available to meet the needs of the different groups it benefits. Only U.S. citizens and legal residents of Colorado qualify for Medicaid in the state. The information provided through the Colorado government's website is current for 2009.

  1. Family Medicaid

    • Family Medicaid is Colorado's public insurance program that serves parents and children ages newborn until age 18. Funded through federal and state government funds with the Department of Health Care Policy, the income eligibility is set up for parents with incomes at or under 100 percent of the national poverty level. Pregnant women with income below 133 percent of the federal poverty standards are eligible. Pregnant women and children can qualify for presumptive eligibility Medicaid coverage in which the application procedures are streamlined and expedited.

    Adults Age 64 and Younger

    • Colorado's Medicaid program is available to individuals age 64 and younger without young dependents who are disabled or blind as defined under the Social Security Administration's standards. The disability determination through the SSA is an individual who has a long-term or permanent disability that significantly affects at least one major life activity. The SSA defines a major life activity as one in which a person without the disability can do with little or no effort. Walking and talking are major life activities. The total impairment can be physical or mental illnesses and must last for at least 12 months. The medically determinable disability is one in which anatomical or psychological impairments are easily shown through laboratory or clinical assessments. Adults receiving SSA's Supplemental Security Income automatically receive health benefits through Medicaid.

    Senior Citizens Age 65 and Older

    • Senior citizens are eligible for Medicaid if they are receiving Supplemental Security Income or Old Age Pension through Colorado's social services plans. Residents must meet the age limitations and incomes under $699 annually. Applicants may not have personal and real estate property exceeding $2,000. The limit is $3,000 per couple.

    Colorado's Estate Recovery Rules

    • Colorado, as mandated by the federal government, must recover Medicaid benefits from a recipient or recipient's estate. Colorado can place a real estate lien upon the recipient's home or file a claim against the recipient's estate. Colorado can also collect its Medicaid expenditures from a recipient's trust fund to offset its total government expenses.

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