Income Requirements for Medicaid in Colorado

Medicaid is a joint state-federal program that allows low-income families access to healthcare. The program is available nationwide, but each state sets its own income guidelines for eligibility. In Colorado, these guidelines are tied to the federal poverty level and vary depending on family status and age.

Children

• All low-income children up to age six are eligible for Medicaid. Low-income in this case means children whose families earn less than 133% of the federal poverty level. Under Colorado's guidelines, current as of May 2010, the maximum monthly income for a family of three falling into this category is $2,030. Families of children between the ages of six and 19 must meet more stringent income guidelines to receive Medicaid coverage. Under Colorado's current guidelines, families of children in this age group must make less than $1,526 per month for the children to qualify for Medicaid. Children of all ages may also qualify for temporary coverage if their families make less than $2,823 (for a family of three).

Pregnant Women

• Low-income pregnant women can qualify for Medicaid in Colorado on the same income basis as children under the age of six. For example, a single pregnant woman who already has two children under age six could qualify for Medicaid if her monthly income is less than $2,030. When her baby is born, her family's monthly income limit will rise to $2,444, since her family now includes four people, but she will no longer be covered since she is no longer pregnant. Only her children will be eligible. However, parents may qualify for their own Medicaid coverage if their income is less than 60% of the federal poverty level, according to the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing. In this case, the new mother would need to make less than $1103 per month to qualify for long-term Medicaid. However, she could still qualify for temporary (transitional) Medicaid if she makes less than $3,400 per month.

Senior Citizens

• In general, if you are over the age of 65 and eligible for Supplemental Security Income (a federal program that supplements Social Security payments) or Old Age Pension (a Colorado program that also supplements Social Security payments), you are eligible for Medicaid. These two programs have their own eligibility rules, but are generally reserved for low-income seniors. However, if you have dependent children under the age of 19, you may be eligible even if you do not receive SSI or OAP payments.

Other Adults

• If you are under age 64, you are not eligible for Medicaid unless you have dependent children (in which case the standard income limits will apply) or the Social Security Administration has determined that you are blind or otherwise disabled. To receive this designation, you will have to first apply through the federal Social Security Administration. Once you are certified as disabled, you are eligible for Colorado Medicaid, according to the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing.