Medicaid Income Guidelines for Michigan

When a family cannot afford health insurance coverage, many U.S. states step in to help provide this coverage. The state of Michigan has a number of Medicaid health care programs for all types of state residents, though there are certain income and asset requirements to qualify for each.

Children

• Certain Medicaid programs in Michigan offer health-care assistance to children when parents cannot afford to pay for adequate coverage. One program is called Healthy Kids, and as long as parents make an annual income of 150 percent or less than the U.S. Federal Poverty Level (FPL), then the children are eligible for coverage. There are no monthly premiums or asset tests. The most recent FPL information can be found on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website. Another program aimed at protecting children in Michigan is the Newborns Program, in which parents must make 185 percent of the FPL or less, and which also has no asset test.

Pregnant Women

• Pregnant mothers may also receive coverage under Healthy Kids during pregnancy.

  Michigan's Healthy Kids program is also an option for pregnant women. A future mother may be allowed health-care coverage under this plan for the duration of her pregnancy and for two months afterward, provided that her income is 185 percent of the FPL or less. If her income is greater than this, she still may be eligible for this program if she pays the state a deductible. There is no asset test nor monthly premiums due for this plan.

Caretaker Relatives

• If a parent or another adult is caring for one or more dependent children, then he is considered a caretaker relative in Michigan, and may be eligible for the Medicaid program of the same name. For this program, a caretaker relative is subject to both an income test (his income may not exceed 185 percent of the FPL), and an asset test (assets may not be greater than $2,000 in value).

Families

• Medicaid programs are available to assist low-income families in Michigan.

  A number of Michigan health-care programs are available for families. Low Income Families (LIF) is one such program, for families that make close to or below the Federal Poverty Level. Another program is called the Special N/Support program, for families that are no longer eligible for LIF coverage due to child support payments, and which extends coverage by up to four months until families can find another kind of health insurance coverage. Transitional Medical Assistance is available for all families that are no longer qualified to receive Medicaid, and it covers families for an additional 12 months while they search for another form of coverage. The income and asset requirements for each of these programs change on a regular basis, and many require monthly payments from families. Local county-wide human services departments calculate the specific income and payment amounts for families in Michigan, and more information can be found through the Michigan Department of Community Health (the state Medicaid agency).

Elderly and Disabled

• Medicaid in Michigan is also available to those who are elderly, blind or disabled, though this coverage is also subject to an income cap. Still, even those who exceed this cap may still be qualified if they pay a deductible. Those enrolled typically receive comprehensive health-care packages that include mental, vision and dental services. Again, these services and specific income requirements vary according to Michigan county, and additional information can be found through the state Medicaid website.