Medicaid is health insurance funded by the state and federal government. Colorado Medicaid is available to low-income families and individuals who meet the eligibility criteria. In addition to the routine health care services paid for by Medicaid, vision, dental, physical therapy and prescriptions are also covered through the insurance program. Seniors entering a nursing home can apply for Medicaid to receive assistance paying for the high costs associated with care. Visit your local Colorado Department of Social Services to submit your application (see Resources).
Eligibility Groups
Medicaid is available to children 18 or younger, parents or legal guardians of children in the household, pregnant women, and persons that are elderly, disabled or blind. If you are disabled or blind, you must be determined disabled by the Social Security Administration.
Citizenship and Residency
To qualify for Medicaid in the state of Colorado, you must be a resident of the state. You must also be a U.S. citizen or legal immigrant. You will be required to provide documentation for all household members including Social Security numbers, birth certificates, driver's licenses or immigration documents.
Income
You cannot exceed the income guidelines based on your household size. Pregnant women and children cannot exceed a threshold of 133 percent of the federal poverty level, which is $1,201 a month as of 2011. A single adult applying for coverage cannot exceed 100 percent of the poverty level, which is $205 a month. All sources of income, earned and unearned are included. Therefore, if you receive Social Security benefits or child support, it must be reported as income. There are additional state programs available to individuals who exceed the income criteria, such as the Child Health Plan Plus, offered to children and pregnant women.
Resources
Resource limits vary, depending on the eligibility group. For example, families are allowed no more than $3,000 in countable assets. Your home, vehicle and personal possessions are not counted in this total. There is no resource limit if you are applying exclusively for children or if you are pregnant.
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