What is Medicaid? Medicaid is a state administered program that provides health coverage to disabled and low-income U.S citizens as well as legal aliens. Each state determines the coverage details of Medicaid but all states must provide certain services. These services include specific doctor and hospital services.
You can also qualify for both Medicaid and Medicare. If you think you are eligible for both, then you need to complete a Medicaid application. If you do qualify, then Medicaid can assist you in paying for your Medicare deductibles, coinsurance, and/or premiums.
Not sure you qualify for Medicaid? Then you should still apply
If you’re not sure you qualify for Medicaid, you should still fill out a Medicaid application. This is advice from The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). If you apply to Medicaid and they reject you, it’s still better than to not apply at all. Also, you may want to fill out a new Medicaid application once every year. This is because your Medicaid eligibility can vary each year, so if your application was denied before, fill out another one.
The 3-step Medicaid Application Process
Step 1: Check your eligibility for Medicaid in your state.
Learn more by:
- Calling the Medicaid office in your state.
- Go to the healthcare.gov website
Each state varies in the way they set up the Medicaid application process and programs. So, if you want to learn about the specific Medicaid application process and program specifics in your state, then visit the CMS.gov page.
Step 2: Receive all the essential information to fill out the Medicaid application.
Incomplete information on the application form is a common reason why Medicaid applicants are denied. Make sure that you write down all the necessary information before you submit your Medicaid application. Below is the information that you want to have.
Medicaid applications are often denied because of incomplete information on the application form. Before you submit your Medicaid application, be sure to have all of the following documentation ready.
- Do you have proof of your disability? If you believe that you qualify because of your disability, you will have to include documentation of this in your application.
- Do you have proof of residence? You will need landlord statements or rent receipts, recent mail addressed to your current address, a copy of your mortgage. Make copies of these proofs and include them with your application.
- Do you have proof of assets and other resources? Your Medicaid application must include copies of bank statements or other financial resources.
- Do you have proof of U.S. citizenship or alien status?
- Do you have proof of all sources of income? These sources include Supplemental Security Income, Social Security, tax return or pay stubs, Veteran’s benefits, retirement accounts, and any other income you may receive.
- Do you have proof of your age? Either from your driver’s license or birth certificate.
- Do you have proof of other insurance? Have your Medicaid application ready as well as your red, white, and blue Medicare card (or other insurance ID card). State applications and instructions are different from state to state. So take a look at your state’s Medicaid application website and see if they require additional documentation.
Step 3: Submit your Medicaid application.
When submitting your Medicaid application, you must adhere to your state’s instructions. Here are the alternate ways you can fill out a Medicaid application:
- You can fill out an in-person application at your local Medicaid office.
- Paper applications.
- Or complete an online application.
For regular Medicaid applications, the state has to respond in up to 45 days. And up to 90 days for disability applications.
You have the right to appeal if your Medicaid application is not approved whatever reason, including:
- If you feel they incorrectly denied your application, then provide records to prove your case.
- If they rejected your Medicaid application for missing information. Then, gather the information they are looking for then resubmit the application following the instructions on the denial letter.
An outline for your rights to appeal rejection will be on your Medicaid application denial letter.
What you must know about renewing your Medicaid application
You have to renew your Medicaid application every year. This means you must fill out a new application to stay in the program. The application may be easier, year after year because you know what you are expecting. For instance, if they have information like your date of birth on file, they may not ask for it again. The things that may change year after year are details like your income and alien status. So you will have to update your status year after year on your Medicaid application.