Will I Automatically Receive Medicaid When I Receive SSI?
Posted October 20, 2017 by Premier Disability Services, LLC®Federal law requires States to provide health insurance to certain groups. Medicaid is a program which provides health insurance to low-income individuals who are 65 or older, are blind, or disabled. However, whether a disabled individual automatically receives Medicaid coverage depends upon which state they reside in.
For example, in thirty-two states and the District of Columbia, individuals who are eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are also eligible for Medicaid. The application for SSI serves as the application for Medicaid. As a result, resident in these states will automatically receive Medicaid coverage with SSI eligibility.
However, the following states require a separate application for Medicaid, although these states use the same eligibility criteria that the Social Security Administration (SSA) uses for SSI eligibility: Alaska, Idaho, Kansas, Nebraska, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and the Northern Mariana Islands. As a result, in addition to applying for SSI, residents of these states will need to file a separate application for Medicaid, typically through the health insurance marketplace or through the state’s Medicaid agency.
On the other hand, some states apply their own criteria for Medicaid eligibility. These criteria differ from those used by the SSA. Such criteria may include: household size, household income, assets, age, and medical need. Residents of Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Virginia must file an application for Medicaid separate from their application for SSI.
If you or someone you know is struggling with increasing medical costs due to an ongoing disability, please contact us today for a free case evaluation!
By: Nicole Hayes of Premier Disability Services, LLC®
