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Who Qualifies for Medicaid?

The Affordable Care Act made it easier for Americans to qualify for health care and increased the number of people who received coverage under government programs like Medicaid. These programs allow individuals to visit doctors, seek emergency care and get prescription drugs for medical conditions they received a diagnosis for in the past. You may wonder if you qualify for this coverage or if someone you love can get this type of insurance, but the program is generally only open to those who are above a certain age, make a certain amount of money or meet other eligibility requirements.

Financial Eligibility

Financial eligibility refers to the amount of money that an individual or family can make before they no longer qualify for this program. Pregnant women must make less than $1,400 a month to qualify, but this amount increases based on family size. A woman who has three other family members and is pregnant can make more than $2,800 a month and still qualify. The financial limit increases for families seeking coverage for disabled children. This program is also available as a purchase program for adults with disabilities who make around $1,000 a month or less. According to the program’s official website, families with children can qualify for the program if those families make an income equal to or less than 133% of the poverty line.

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Age Limits

Though this program is open to people of all ages, many refer to it as a program for the elderly. Medicare is a government health care program designed to provide Americans over the age of 65 with health insurance, but this program is slightly different. Elderly people will usually only qualify if they have disabilities or handicaps that prevent them from working.

Disabled Adults

One of the best way to find out if you qualify for this program is with a look at your past history and current living situation. If you receive Social Security benefits, you will usually qualify for this or another health care program. Social Security is a government program designed to help those who reach retirement age afford to pay for their personal expenses and needs. American citizens can also qualify for benefits after suffering an injury that leaves them permanently disabled such as a workplace accident that left a worker unable to stand for an extended period of time or with blindness in one or both eyes.

Other Qualifications

Though this is a federal government program, the state government is responsible for issuing benefits. Those seeking help must be an American citizen and an official resident of the state where they seek help. Most states require that applicants have a social security number or that they can request and obtain one in the near future. Job and Family Services offices usually offer information for these programs and have workers willing to help individuals fill out and the applications and see if they meet state requirements.

The ACA, or Affordable Care Act, increased the number of insurance options for American citizens who did not already have health insurance. As there are discussions in place about eliminating or significantly changing this program, more Americans look at government programs that can help them pay for their health care needs, including programs like Medicaid and Medicare.