What Is Medicaid?
Medicaid is a joint federal and state health program that provides health coverage to families with low income, qualified pregnant women and children, and persons who are receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
States, following federal guidelines, administer Medicaid programs and are given the option to expand Medicaid coverage. For example, states may provide Medicaid coverage to individuals who are receiving home and community-based services, children in foster care, and adults with income at or below 133% of the federal poverty level (FPL). The 2021 FPL is $12,880 for individuals and $17,420 for a family of two.
What You Should Know About How to Qualify and Apply for Medicaid
One in five people in the U.S. receives free or low-cost health coverage through Medicaid, a joint federal and state program administered by individual states under federal guidelines. Each state has different rules about who qualifies for Medicaid and how to apply.
You can apply for Medicaid anytime and must have documented proof of eligibility, including citizenship, residence, age, income and resources, and medical expenses or disability. Eligibility redeterminations are conducted regularly. If you qualify, you can have both Medicare and Medicaid.