How to Apply for Medicaid

Medicaid is a program for disabled and low income health benefits program for citizens and legal aliens of the United States. Individual states determine some of the coverage details, but each state provides certain services, such as physician and hospital services.
It is possible to have both Medicaid and Medicare coverage. Fill out a Medicaid application to learn if you qualify. When you have both Medicare and Medicaid benefits programs, Medicaid may help to pay premiums, coinsurance, and deductibles that apply to Medicare.
If you’re disabled and you qualify for Social Security Disability income, your local office may help you with the Medicaid application.

How to Apply for Medicaid

Fill out a Medicaid application even if you’re unsure about whether you qualify. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), it’s important to fill out a Medicaid application even if you do not qualify. It’s always better to apply for benefits and get turned down than to assume you don’t qualify.
After your application is submitted, a Medicaid caseworker reviews your application to determine your eligibility. Since eligibility for Medicaid may change each year, it may be wise to fill out a Medicaid application this year if your prior application was declined.

Medicaid Application Process Steps

Step #1: Learn about your state’s Medicaid application process.

There are several ways to obtain a Medicaid application:
• Go to https://www.medicaid.gov/ and find your residence state. You will access the contact information for your local Medicaid agency.
• Contact the Medicaid office in your state. Ask for assistance.
• Open a Health Insurance Marketplace account. If you (or your household) qualify for Medicaid and/or CHIP, your local agency will be notified. They will reach out regarding enrollment in one or both programs.
Your state’s program and application process may vary from that of other states. Go to CMS.gov to read more about Medicaid and learn about your state’s Medicaid application process.

Step #2: Collect necessary items to complete the Medicaid application.

Many applications for Medicaid are denied because the applicant doesn’t provide the right information or submits incomplete information to the agency. Have the following information on hand, including:
• Your proof of birthdate, e.g. state-issued driver’s license or certified birth certificate.
• Your citizenship or alien status. If you’re a legal resident of the U.S., you must provide the I-551 (permanent resident card or ‘green card’) or, if applicable: 1) re-entry permit (I-327), 2) refugee travel document (I-571), 3) employment authorization document (I-766), 4) temporary readable immigrant visa, 5) temporary I-551 stamp (on a passport or the I-94/I-94A document, 6) arrival departure record (I-94/I-94A), 7) arrival departure record in a foreign passport (I-94), 8) foreign passport, 9) certificate of eligibility for nonimmigrant student status (I-20), 10) certificate of eligibility for exchange visitor status (DS-2019), 11) notice of action (I-797), 12) document that indicates membership in a recognized Native American tribe or a Native American born in Canada, 13) certification from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Refugee Resettlement, 14) eligibility letter from the Office of Refugee Settlement (under age 18), 15) administrative order/stay of removal from the Department of Homeland Security, 16) alien number (USCIS or alien registration number)/1-94 number
• Proof of all income sources, including Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security, employment (paystubs/tax return), retirement accounts, veteran’s benefits. Attach bank statement copies (or other financial statements and resources if directed to do so) to the Medicaid application.
• Proof of disability if you are disabled. Provide documentation in the Medicaid application.
• Proof of residence. Include rent payment receipts, copy of the mortgage loan document, or landlord statements. Include mail recently received by you, addressed to the current address. Note: Make copies to include with the Medicaid application. Check with your state’s Medicaid office to learn if they require additional documentation.

Step #3. Submit the Medicaid application.

Submit the Medicaid application to your state’s Medicaid office according to instructions. You may be able to submit a hard copy or online Medicaid application or apply in-person at the local Medicaid office.
After submitting the Medicaid application:
• Your state must acknowledge your Medicaid application within 45 days, or 90 days for a disability application.
• If Medicaid doesn’t approve the application, you may appeal the decision. The right to appeal is provided in the denial letter.
• If it’s declined because of incomplete or missing documentation, make sure to obtain what Medicaid needs to review the application.
• Carefully follow the denial letter instructions and resubmit the Medicaid application.
• If, for any reason, you believe that Medicaid improperly denied the application, write a letter to Medicaid and attach documentation to support your claim.

Step #4: Renew the Medicaid application.

In most states, you must prepare and submit a Medicaid application each year to receive Medicaid. If you’re disabled and receive Social Security Disability, your local office may submit a renewal application for you.
However, if you submit the application yourself, it’s relatively easy to renew the application:
• Your proof of age is already on file. Your state Medicaid office might not ask for it a second time.
• If your alien status or income has changed from the last application, you must provide updated information to Medicaid.