What is Medicaid? Medicaid provides health insurance coverage to millions of Americans, including elderly residents, those with a disability, low-income adults, children and pregnant women. While Medicaid is both funded by your state and the federal government, the United States government mandates most Medicaid benefits, while the state decides on benefits that are considered “optional.” Information about Medicaid optional coverage varies from state to state, but coverage will generally include inpatient and outpatient services, physician services, preventative services, behavioral health services, dental care, vision care and much more.

Understanding who can qualify for the Medicaid program is also important for seniors seeking affordable health care options. The Medicaid program requires applicants to meet citizenship and income requirements. In some cases, you may be eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid, in which case Medicaid would pay for the services that Medicare does not cover, such as dental care, vision care, and behavioral health services. As a senior, it is incredibly important for you to review all of your health care options and determine the option that is best for you.

Aside from knowing the Medicaid program’s eligibility requirements and what medical services it covers, it is also important to understand how much it costs. Most Medicaid health care plans will include little to no out-of-pocket costs, but this factor is determined by your verifiable, annual income. In cases where you do receive an out-of-pocket cost, this may come in the form of deductibles or copayments. Another piece of Medicaid information that is worth noting is that eligible Medicaid applicants may have their effective coverage date on either the first day of the month that the application was submitted or up to three months prior to submitting an application, so long as all eligibility requirements are still met. Should you ever fail to meet Medicaid eligibility requirements, such as after a change in income, your coverage will generally stop at the end of the month where you no longer were eligible to receive Medicaid benefits.

Download our helpful free guide for more information about Medicaid coverage, or review the topics below.

What are the requirements for seniors to get Medicaid?

What are the requirements for Medicaid? Knowing how to qualify for Medicaid insurance coverage is beneficial for residents who need assistance affording health care coverage. Since the program is designed for low-income applicants, petitioners will need to make less than the income limits and meet the other requirements for the program. However, determining who is eligible for Medicaid benefits is not as simple as having a low income. The United States government has set forth Medicaid eligibility requirements including residency and citizenship that petitioners must meet for enrollment. State Medicaid programs are required to abide by these mandatory requirements, though some states have established a reduced Medicaid benefits eligibility program called the “medically needy program.”

About Medicaid Applications

As a senior, you may be wondering how to apply for Medicaid including the Medicaid application methods that may be available to you and the information that you will be expected to provide. The answers to these questions will vary slightly, as the Medicaid application methods available and the information you may need to provide will depend on the state where you are applying.

Learn About Medicaid Costs and Coverage for Seniors

The cost of Medicaid coverage for seniors depends on several factors. Medicaid cost estimates can vary by income, as the program is specifically for low-earning applicants. The cost may also be different for each state, based on what coverage is offered. Another question you should be asking is, “What services are covered by Medicaid?” if you are considering applying for Medicaid. You must look at both the federal mandatory benefits as well as the optional benefits that may be offered by your state.