The Ins and Outs of Medicaid Eligibility

In a country with the world’s best healthcare system, being strapped for cash should be no excuse to seek assistance with one’s health issues. For those who find the cost of healthcare too much to bear, Medicaid, which guarantees free or low-cost care, may be one viable solution to the problem.

In order to qualify for Medicaid, however, applicants must meet certain income and family size restrictions. Medicaid programs in different states all follow a set of federal guidelines when implementing these restrictions; however, these can vary somewhat from state to state. Additionally, recent expansions to Medicaid have changed the eligibility guidelines, though some of these developments have yet to be applied in certain states.

Due to these variations in implementation, interested applicants should check the
ir eligibility against their state’s programs. Each state updates its list and information on its eligibility requirements. Residents can further check out their state’s official Medicaid websites for more information. After approval of application, coverage begins immediately.

Also, along with newer guidelines put in place as part of the Affordable Care Act, individuals and families can also check for their eligibility on the online Health Insurance Marketplace. By simply completing the online application, applicants are presented with a list of programs that are available based on their health issues and needs. If an applicant is eligible for Medicaid or CHIP, the Healthcare Insurance Marketplace advices the state agency of the applicant’s eligibility so they can enroll.