Medicaid Coverage for Children

Medicaid is a state- and federally-funded government health program for people with lower incomes, elderly people, people with disabilities, and some families with children. Each state administers its own Medicaid program, and recipients must be American citizens or legal permanent residents.

Although each state has its own eligibility requirements for Medicaid, some general guidelines apply. State-by-state income requirements vary, but by 2014 most adults under 65 with yearly individual incomes up to about $15,000 will qualify in every state.

Currently, people with disabilities qualify for Medicaid in every state. In some states, qualification for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits automatically qualifies an individual for Medicaid. In other states, income and assets other than the home are examined to determine whether a disabled individual qualifies for Medicaid.

Expansion of Medicaid in 2014 will help low income adults with disabilities not qualifying them for Supplemental Security Income and disabled persons whose income exceeds their states’ limits for Medicaid eligibility.

The key eligibility categories for Medicaid include the elderly, the physically disabled, the mentally disabled, severely disabled children, low income adults, and low income children.

Children born to a parent with Medicaid are automatically eligible for Medicaid until their first birthday.

This means no separate application is required for your newborn child, who should be enrolled automatically in Medicaid.

Regardless of which state you live in, there is health coverage available for low income children through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). If you have a family of four, your children are likely to be eligible for coverage if your income is about $45,000 or less.

To learn more about coverage for children, please visit here.

For further information about Medicaid, you can find plenty of information at Medicaid’s Home Page. If you’d like information about Medicare supplement plans, Medicare Advantage, or any other aspect of Medicare or senior health insurance, contact a licensed, bonded MedicareMall representative and let us lead you with confidence through the Medicare maze!

Medicare Advantage Plans Index