Medicaid pays health benefits to pregnant women with low incomes.
Established in 1965 as a part of the Social Security Act, Medicaid has since grown to provide health benefits to more than 42 million medically and financially needy individuals. Though the federal government implements guidelines for qualifying for Medicaid, each U.S. state has the ability to expand upon those guidelines for residents.
Citizenship and Residency
To qualify for federal Medicaid, you must provide proof of U.S. citizenship, as well as proof of residency in the state in which you apply for benefits. If you are not a U.S. citizen but reside in the U.S. as a legal alien, you may apply for benefits. If you are not a legal resident, your children may qualify for Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program if they are citizens or legal U.S. residents.
Income
Those with limited income and resources qualify for Medicaid if they meet the eligibility guidelines determined in their state of residence. For example, a family of four living in the lower 48 states with an annual income less than $22,050 would fall below the federal poverty line according to 2010 guidelines. Nationally, low-income families with less than 100 percent of the federal poverty limit qualify for Medicaid, whereas pregnant women and children under age 6 qualify with incomes up to 133 percent of the federal poverty limit. These are federal guidelines for Medicaid eligibility and many states expand these limits, so consult with your state's Office of Health and Human Services to find out if you qualify in your state.
Medically Needy
Some Medicaid applicants may receive benefits if their incomes exceed the financial guidelines for eligibility. If you are determined medically needy due to an abundance of medical bills that you cannot afford to pay, you may qualify for Medicaid. Additionally, U.S. residents who are permanently disabled automatically receive Medicaid benefits in most U.S. states, though 11 states have alternative criteria for qualifying as a medically needy Medicaid recipient.
State Discretion
Medicaid is both a federally and state funded program, leaving partial discretion to the states regarding the guidelines of the program. While the federal government mandates minimum income and disability qualification guidelines, according to the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, the states have the option of extending coverage to categorically needy groups. For example, some states may automatically cover the blind, institutionalized individuals or those infected with tuberculosis.
Tags: qualify Medicaid, federal poverty, apply benefits, federal government, federal poverty limit, health benefits, less than
