Qualifying for Georgia Medicaid

It is common for us to deal with issues related to unexpected illness or injury. So, it’s unfortunate that most people cannot afford the high cost for medical care and health insurance premiums. One of the solutions for this is the Medicaid insurance program that the federal government is funding for low income individuals and families as well as the disabled and elderly. Each state creates specific eligibility requirements for their Medicaid program. The information below will tell you how to qualify for Georgia Medicaid.

Georgia Department of Community Health has the responsibility to administer the Medicaid health assistance program. It is available to pregnant women, children, the blind, elderly, disabled and persons in nursing homes.

Qualifying for Georgia Medicaid

You can start by meeting the citizenship requirements. Only US citizens and Georgia residents can get Medicaid coverage. For proof, you will need to show proper documentation such as a driver’s license, birth certificate and Social Security card.

The next step is fit into one of the eligible categories. Medicaid coverage is offered to Georgian legal guardians or parents of kids under 19; children 19 years and younger; pregnant women and the elderly disabled and blind persons. Elderly in this case means individuals who are at least sixty-five years old. Families with kids whose earnings fall below 133% of the poverty level can also qualify for the low income Medicaid. In addition, terminally ill patients who are not expected to live over six months are entitled to coverage.

You should also meet certain income guidelines. Depending on the eligibility group, you might have to fall within a specific percentage below the existing poverty level. A pregnant woman, for example, can earn up to 200% of that poverty level. For children between six and nineteen and adults, the income limit is 100%.

Georgia Medicaid program also requires applicants to have assets with value that is below the maximum limit. The blind or the disabled individuals without Medicare, children and pregnant women cannot have assets which exceeds $2,000 (or for couples $4,000). Recipients of Medicaid who are disabled, elderly or blind and are submitting applications for Medicare supplementary benefits are not allowed to have assets exceeding $6,600 (individual) and $9,910 (couple). Individuals who want nursing home care can have $2,000 worth of assets, while couples can have $3,000.

Check with the Department of Family and Children’s Services in your country if you want more details on Georgia Medicaid application guidelines and eligibility information. There are different ways that you can apply for benefits through the Medicaid program. You could fax or mail the application form to the Department of Human Services or DHS, apply conveniently online or go directly to the DHS office.