If you cannot afford private health insurance, Medicaid may be able to help. Medicaid is the federal health insurance program that brings health care to low-income individuals and families. If you live in Georgia and meet the eligibility requirements for coverage, visit the Georgia Department of Family and Children Services to apply.
Citizenship and Residency
To be eligible for Medicaid in Georgia, you must be a U.S. citizen or legal immigrant residing in the state. Coverage does not transfer between states. Along with your application, you must submit proof of identity and citizenship. SSI recipients and Medicare beneficiaries are exempt from providing documentation. Some acceptable forms of documentation include Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization, current or expired U.S. passport, official military record, birth certificate or state-issued identification card. Proper documentation is required for all household members applying for coverage.
Eligibility Groups
Georgia Medicaid applicants must fall into one of several eligibility categories. Pregnant women and infants born to Medicaid-eligible pregnant women can receive the coverage. The infant can receive coverage for the first year of life as long as the income guidelines are met. Children under the age of 19 and parents or caretakers living in a household with children are eligible. Adults age 65 or older who are disabled or blind can also apply for Medicaid. A disability must be verified through the Social Security Administration. The processing time for a disabled Medicaid application typically takes longer than the average 45-day review period.
Income
Strict income limits apply. All sources of income from each household member are included in the total gross monthly income. Child support, alimony and Social Security must be reported. The income restrictions require you to earn and/or receive less than a specified amount of the Federal Poverty Level based on the number of people living in a household. Pregnant women and infants are limited to an income 200 percent of the FPL. Children age 5 and under can have a household income 133 percent of the FPL. If you have children between the ages of 6 and 19, the income must be at or below 100 percent of the FPL. Low-income adults with dependent children are allowed $356 per month for a household of two, as of 2011. Medicaid also covers nursing home care and hospice, when necessary. An individual's income cannot exceed $2,022 per month.
If your income is too high and you have a significant amount of medical expenses each month, you may qualify for the medically needy program. Pregnant women, children, elderly and disabled or blind individuals who fall into the income guidelines after subtracting medical expenses from their income, can receive coverage. In 2001, a single person applying through the medically needy program is limited to an income of no more than $208 per month after medical deductions.
Asset Limits
Georgia Medicaid places asset restrictions on certain eligibility groups. For the medically needy program, countable resources cannot exceed $2,000 per person or $4,000 per couple. Medicare beneficiaries are allowed $6,680 for an individual or $10,020 for a couple. Nursing home and hospice applicants can possess up to $2,000 per person or $3,000 per couple. Countable assets include liquid items, such as bank accounts, stocks, bonds, cash, real estate or boats. Your home, primary vehicle used for work or medical transportation, personal possessions and pre-paid funeral expenses are exempt.
Tags: medically needy, medically needy program, needy program, Pregnant women, receive coverage, cannot exceed, Children under
