HomeApplyCan I Apply For Medicaid If I Have Health Insurance

Can I Apply For Medicaid If I Have Health Insurance

Apply For Medicaid In Three Steps

What Is Medicaid? | Medicaid Made Clear

1. Gather your information:

  • Job informationyour employer and income amount.
  • Policy numbers for any other health insurance you may have.

Dont worry. If you do not have answers to all the questions or all the information being requested, you can provide them later. Medicaid will notify you of next steps within 1-2 weeks after you submit your application.

2. Apply for Medicaid:

Helpful Tip: If you apply online, you have the option to create an account. This will let you:

  • Save your application and finish it later
  • Check the status of your application
  • Renew your Medicaid online
  • Request a new Medicaid card

3. Decide which health plan to join:

In the last step of the application, you will choose your health plan. There are five health plans. They all cover the same essential benefits, but each one has different networks of doctors, dentists, and other providers. There are also different extra benefits for adult dental services and reward programs. To compare plans, go to www.healthy.la.gov. We hope you choose us!

Will I Qualify For Medicaid If I Dont Have A Job

Medicaid is a federal program administered through each state to help individuals and families who have low income afford to pay for medical care. If you arent earning a paycheck, then there is a good chance you will be considered low income. Medicaid offers a large range of services, such as dental care, preventative care, transportation to medical appointments and mental health care. Some of the health services provided by Medicaid require a small co-payment.

Medicare Services & Fees

Eligible recipients of Medicare have a choice. They may enroll into either Original Medicare or into a private health plan known as Medicare Advantage . All plans cover the same basic Medicare-covered health services, but there are differences in premiums, deductibles, coinsurance and provider networks. People should carefully consider their own situations before choosing. If their needs change, people may also change plans during the Open Enrollment period each year.

People enrolling in Original Medicare should also consider enrolling in a stand-alone Prescription Drug Plan , also known as Part D, to cover their outpatient prescription drugs. Most Medicare Advantage Plans already cover prescription drugs.

Below is more detail on coverage provided by Medicare parts A, B, C and D:

Original Medicare members can also enroll in Medicare Supplement Insurance, also called Medigap, which fills in the gaps not covered by Original Medicare. Medigap is offered by private, approved insurance companies. These plans pay for costs such as coinsurance, copayments and deductibles.

In Connecticut, a Medigap cannot be used as a stand-alone plan, and is designed to be used in combination with Parts A and B. These plans do not provide prescription drug benefits. The state offers up to 10 standardized policy options, each labeled with a letter. All plans of the same letter offer the same benefits, no matter which insurance company offers the plan.

Don’t Miss: How Much Does Health Insurance Cost If Self Employed

Medicaid As Secondary Insurance

Can you use Medicaid as a secondary insurance? If you take your employers insurance or you have private coverage, you might still have trouble paying deductibles and co-pays. But qualified low-income families and individuals might be able to cover co-pays, deductibles, and insurance premiums by using Medicaid as a secondary insurance.

Just keep in mind that Medicaid is always the last resort payer if you have coverage through another agency. Secondary payers usually cover the smaller amount, like coinsurance or co-pay, while primary insurance covers the bigger costs.

Q How Long Will My Medicaid Benefits Remain Active

Understanding Obamacare: Do I qualify for Medicaid if I have $60,000 in ...

A. Medicaid is based on month to month eligibility. However, your benefits are redetermined on a yearly basis by DMMA to confirm whether you still remain eligible for the program you are receiving. Certain Medicaid programs require you to report changes in your situation within 10 days of the change. One example of a change that must be reported is new employment.

You May Like: How Much Does Health Insurance Cost In Idaho

Financial Medicaid Eligibility Component

HHSC is responsible for determining if the person meets the criteria specific to CLASS for the financial Medicaid eligibility component. If the person is already eligible for Medicaid through another program under the Texas State Medicaid Plan, the financial Medicaid eligibility component for this waiver has already been met.

When determining financial Medicaid eligibility for CLASS, give special consideration to the following:

If I Lose My Job Or Find A New Job Will I Lose My Medicaid Coverage How About My Family Members

No. Unlike employer-sponsored plans, Medicaid is not tied to your job. Youll still have it even if you lose your job because of COVID-19 or for any other reason. If you find a job, your new financial situation will determine whether you qualify for Medicaid. Your eligibility is based on income, age, residency, citizenship, ability, pregnancy, family size and the role you play in your household.

Read Also: What Does My Health Insurance Cover

Reasons Relating To Material Change In Income Or Resources During Six Months Preceding Approval For Assistance

A change in income or resources should be regarded as material only if the amount of the reduction or loss of income is substantial in relation to the need for assistance. A loss of income that is based on need, such as assistance from a public or private agency, is not regarded as a material change in income.

Two Categories Of Medicaid Eligibility

Medicaid

Before the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid eligibility was based on how much money you earned and how much you owned, e.g., your income, your assets, and your net worth. After the law was enacted, however, eligibility was split into two distinct groups.

Some people continued to qualify for Medicaid the old fashioned way, while others qualify based on their modified adjusted gross income .

Read Also: Will My Health Insurance Pay For An Auto Accident

How Can People Sign Up For Coverage

In general, anyone can visit www.HealthCare.gov to start the process of signing up for coverage. Most people who have lost coverage due to a job loss will qualify for a Special Enrollment Period and can follow the appropriate prompts at HealthCare.gov. But there are some tips that may make the process go more smoothly.

How Long Will It Take To Enroll

Many state Medicaid agencies are being inundated with requests for help right now so call center response times may be longer than usual. Enrolling online is the best and potentially fastest way to enroll, however, help should be available over the phone. States have 45 days to process applications but the good news is that once you are enrolled, Medicaid coverage is effective back to the date of your application. If you have outstanding medical expenses, Medicaid may also cover your medical expenses incurred up to 90 days prior to your application date, but you will have to request retroactive Medicaid.

Also Check: What Do I Need For Health Insurance

Who Is Not Eligible For Covered California

Immigrants who are not lawfully present do not qualify for a health plan through Covered California however, they may qualify for coverage through Medi-Cal up to age 19 or for pregnancy coverage. Immigrants who are not lawfully present can also buy private health insurance on their own outside of Covered California.

If Your Income Is Low And Your State Hasnt Expanded Medicaid

Virginia Medicaid Income Limits

If your state hasnt expanded Medicaid, your income is below the federal poverty level, and you don’t qualify for Medicaid under your state’s current rules, you wont qualify for either health insurance savings program: Medicaid coverage or savings on a private health plan bought through the Marketplace.

Find out why
  • When the health care law was passed, it required states to provide Medicaid coverage for all adults 18 to 65 with incomes up to 133% of the federal poverty level, regardless of their age, family status, or health.
  • The law also provides premium tax credits for people with incomes between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level to buy private insurance plans in the Health Insurance Marketplace®.
  • The U.S. Supreme Court later ruled that the Medicaid expansion is voluntary with states. As a result, some states havent expanded their Medicaid programs.
  • Adults in those states with incomes below 100% of the federal poverty level, and who dont qualify for Medicaid based on disability, age, or other factors, fall into a gap.
  • Their incomes are too high to qualify for Medicaid in their states.
  • Their incomes are below the range the law set for savings on a Marketplace insurance plan.

States are continuing to make coverage decisions. They could expand Medicaid in the future.

Recommended Reading: How Does American Health Insurance Work

How Do I Provide Additional Information When Requested

To serve you better and to make sure you get all the benefits you need, please:

  • Provide all the information and proof as soon as possible
  • Contact us if you need help getting information, so we can assist you

You can mail or fax copies of the requested information. Please do not turn in original documents.

When you apply online at Health-e-Arizona Plus you can upload requested information or fax it with a cover sheet. in Health-e-Arizona Plus titled How do I fax documents to HEAplus)

How Do I Qualify For Medicare And Medicaid Programs

Luckily for many, the qualifications outlined by Medicare and Medicaid are cut-and-dry, meaning youll have a great understanding of whether youre eligible before you begin the application process. Those who are eligible for Medicares services typically tend to be at least 65 years old. However, you may also qualify for Medicare before the age of 65 if you have been receiving Social Security disability for 24 months, have Lou Gehrigs disease or end-stage renal disease.

Those who have already been receiving Social Security benefits are automatically enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B upon the month they turn 65. Additional coverage options will then be made available for those who are interested. Those who need to manually enroll themselves into a Medicare program can do so through the Social Security Administration . They can enroll through the SSA website, calling 1-800-772-1213 or by visiting their local Social Security office.

After becoming a part of the Medicare program, enrollees can expect to receive welcome packages with their new Medicare card, also known as the Red, White & Blue Card, included. Its important to keep this card close so that you can protect yourself from Medicare fraud, as well as those who could scam you, as many seniors fall victim to scams as it relates to Medicare.

Recommended Reading: What Is The Income Limit For Medicaid In Nc

Also Check: What Is Oscar Health Insurance

Medicaid Is Jointly Financed By States And The Federal Government

Medicaid is financed jointly by the federal government and states. The federal government matches state Medicaid spending. The federal match rate varies by state based on a federal formula and ranges from a minimum of 50% to nearly 75% in the poorest state. Under the ACA, the federal match rate for adults newly eligible was 100% for 2014-2016, phasing down gradually to 90% in 2020 and thereafter . The federal matching structure provides states with resources for coverage of their low-income residents and also permits state Medicaid programs to respond to demographic and economic shifts, changing coverage needs, technological innovations, public health emergencies such as the opioid addiction crisis, and disasters and other events beyond states control. The guaranteed availability of federal Medicaid matching funds eases budgetary pressures on states during recessionary periods when enrollment rises. Federal matching rates do not automatically adjust to economic shifts but Congress has twice raised them temporarily during downturns to strengthen support for states.

Total federal and state Medicaid spending was $577 billion in FY 2017. Medicaid is the third-largest domestic program in the federal budget, after Social Security and Medicare, accounting for 9.5% of federal spending in FY 2017. In 2017, Medicaid was the second-largest item in state budgets, after elementary and secondary education .

Figure 8: Medicaid is a budget item and a revenue item in state budgets.

I Got Laid Off But They Offered Me Cobra It Is Way Too Expensive Can I Qualify For Medicaid

Can I Have Medicare and Employer Health Coverage?

Maybe. For many people, COBRA, the insurance you can buy into when you lose your job, is too expensive. And even if you decide to enroll in COBRA, it doesnt mean you cant apply for Medicaid. You can apply for and enroll in Medicaid any time. If you qualify for Medicaid, you can drop your COBRA coverage even after you enrolled in it.

You May Like: Do We Still Get Penalized For Not Having Health Insurance

What Services Does Medicaid Cover

Medicaid covers more than 60 percent of all nursing home residents and roughly 50 percent of costs for long-term care services and supports.

Federal rules require state Medicaid programs to cover certain mandatory services, such as hospital and physician care, laboratory and X-ray services, home health services, and nursing facility services for adults. States are also required to provide a more comprehensive set of services, known as the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment benefit, for children under age 21.

States can and all do cover certain additional services as well. All states cover prescription drugs, and most cover other common optional benefits include dental care, vision services, hearing aids, and personal care services for frail seniors and people with disabilities. These services, though considered optional because states are not required to provide them, are critical to meeting the health needs of Medicaid beneficiaries.

About three-quarters of all Medicaid spending on services pays for acute-care services such as hospital care, physician services, and prescription drugs the rest pays for nursing home and other long-term care services and supports. Medicaid covers more than 60 percent of all nursing home residents and roughly 50 percent of costs for long-term care services and supports.

How Much Does Medicaid Cost? How Is It Financed?

Medicaid Coverage Has Evolved Over Time

Under the original 1965 Medicaid law, Medicaid eligibility was tied to cash assistance or federal Supplemental Security Income starting in 1972) for parents, children and the poor aged, blind and people with disabilites. States could opt to provide coverage at income levels above cash assistance. Over time, Congress expanded federal minimum requirements and provided new coverage options for states especially for children, pregnant women, and people with disabilities. Congress also required Medicaid to help pay for premiums and cost-sharing for low-income Medicare beneficiaries and allowed states to offer an option to buy-in to Medicaid for working individuals with disabilities. Other coverage milestones included severing the link between Medicaid eligibility and welfare in 1996 and enacting the Childrens Health Insurance Program in 1997 to cover low-income children above the cut-off for Medicaid with an enhanced federal match rate. Following these policy changes, for the first time states conducted outreach campaigns and simplified enrollment procedures to enroll eligible children in both Medicaid and CHIP. Expansions in Medicaid coverage of children marked the beginning of later reforms that recast Medicaid as an income-based health coverage program.

Figure 3: Medicaid has evolved over time to meet changing needs.

Also Check: Does Doordash Have Health Insurance

What Are Your Health Insurance Options If Youre Unemployed

11 Minute Read | September 10, 2021

Life happens. We get that.If you lost your job, we know youre not just worried about when your next paycheck will arrive, theres also that other nagging thought in the back of your mind: What about my health insurance?

If youre no longer covered by your employers group health insurance, you might be assuming that your health care options are limited. And now it may feel like all you can think about is how to get health insurance between jobs.

But dont lose hope. Take a deep breath. There are options out there to protect your health care until youre back on your feet!

Unmarried Dependent Child Of Veteran/active Duty Member

How Life Insurance Can Affect Medicaid

Eligibility as an unmarried dependent child of a veteran or active duty member ends with the month after the month any of the following occur:

  • Loss of dependent status.
  • The active duty member separates from the armed forces with a discharge that is not characterized as honorable or that is based on alien status.
  • Legal adoption by someone other than the veteran or active duty member of the armed forces or the veteran/active duty memberâs spouse.

Also Check: Apply For Sc Medicaid Online

Recommended Reading: Is Health Insurance Required In Florida

Q How Can I Find Out If I Can Get Medicaid

A. You can find out if you qualify for Medicaid or other medical assistance and social service programs by speaking with a representative at your local State Service Center. Call Medicaid Customer Relations at 1-800-372-2022 or 255-9500 to be directed to the appropriate office where someone can help you.

Also Check: How Much Can You Make To Be Eligible For Medicaid

What If Im Turned Down By Medicaid

  • You may be able to buy a private health plan through the Marketplace instead for the 2018 plan year in the fall. You may qualify for savings based on your income through a premium tax credit and savings on out-of-pocket costs.
  • If you don’t qualify for either Marketplace or Medicaid savings, you still have options. Learn more here.

Don’t Miss: What Is The Best Travel Health Insurance

State Medicaid Policies And Incarceration

A number of state Medicaid policies may influence your decision to apply for Medicaid while in jail or prison. These include:

  • Whether your state has decided to expand Medicaid coverage to all adults with incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level

  • Whether incarcerated people can stay enrolled while in prison or jail. Remember that enrolling in Medicaid while incarcerated doesnât allow Medicaid to pay the cost of your care while in prison or jail. But it may help you get needed care more quickly after youâre released.

Popular Articles

explore more