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How do I Enroll in Medicaid?

Tricia Christensen
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Updated: Feb 22, 2024
Views: 17,825
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Medicaid is a US health program for certain people who meet various living circumstances and income qualifications. The program is jointly run by each state and the federal government, and different states may have varied instructions for how to enroll in Medicaid. Prior to enrolling, people should make certain that they meet qualifications for eligibility, and should prepare some documentation to prove this.

Those eligible for Medicaid include families with very low income, pregnant women with low income, seniors who cannot meet costs for supplemental Medicare insurance, those with permanent disabilities, and people with kids that are wards of the state. Single people with very low income may not qualify, though some do, and it is worth applying to determine if getting Medicaid is possible.

Where to enroll in Medicaid may depend on how a person or family qualifies and on each state’s requirements. Those who are disabled and who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) may automatically qualify for Medicaid, and might not even need to enroll in it, though they should check this with the local Social Security office. Others might apply through Welfare programs, state Health and Human Services departments, and some people fill out applications at hospitals for themselves or others. When unsure where to apply, people can call the local Social Security office, or the state Human Services department to find the correct place to get paperwork and apply.

Most people will need proof of current income if they receive any, and a social security number. Other details that might be required to enroll in Medicaid are things like address, names of doctors if trying to prove a disability, and names and perhaps social security numbers of any children in the household. These applications are typically long and if they are not completed fully, they may be rejected, or Medicaid may be denied.

Another program administered through the federal Health and Human Services Department that is also jointly run by the states is the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). This program allows parents or guardians low income ranges to apply for very low cost insurance for their kids, and it may be an option for those children who wouldn’t qualify to enroll in Medicaid. SCHIP applications can be available in a variety of locations, and may even come home in information packets at the beginning of each school year. If this is not the case, contacting the local Health and Human Services Department can usually quickly locate an application form.

Application for Medicaid doesn’t always work initially. An application form to enroll in Medicaid is not the same as being automatically accepted into the program, and some people immediately are denied Medicaid benefits. This could be for a number of reasons, including that an application was not completed fully. People do have the right to contest a denial in a hearing, to which they can bring an attorney or other representatives. There are Medicaid attorneys that can help reverse denial decisions, but some people applying may have a hard time affording an attorney because their financial circumstances are already difficult.

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Tricia Christensen
By Tricia Christensen
With a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and years of experience as a WiseGeek contributor, Tricia Christensen is based in Northern California and brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to her writing. Her wide-ranging interests include reading, writing, medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion, all of which she incorporates into her informative articles. Tricia is currently working on her first novel.

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Discussion Comments
By anon944485 — On Apr 07, 2014

So all the wealthy white so-called "liberals" who sit around the dinner table bragging about how much they care for the poor should be forced to apply for Medicaid. See how they like being rejected and told to hire an attorney to contest a denial in a hearing. It's a great scam.

By anon275853 — On Jun 20, 2012

Medicaid is only for people who have children? That is ironic. So people with low income and with no children do not have the right to be helped.

By jlmk — On Feb 10, 2011

Applying for medicaid health insurance isn't that hard, but make sure you always get them the information they ask for by the deadline they give you. I made the mistake of not doing this, and it was a huge headache.

When I first applied, I was asked to provide the birth certificate for my youngest child, and I took too long in getting it to them. My other children were accepted and began receiving medicaid benefits, but my youngest had no coverage.

I made phone calls, talked to several people, faxed the birth certificate multiple times, and it took over a year for me to get coverage for her.

Just make sure you do everything on time to avoid this kind of problem. It was not fun.

By elizabeth2 — On Feb 07, 2011

I found medicaid information online, and was even able to easily fill out the application online. The information needed was pretty basic. I just had to enter details about the members of my family and our income.

The thing I've found though, is that children can be accepted while the parents are not. I don't understand this, because the health of parents are very important in a family. But, even if my husband and I don't have coverage, I can sleep better at night knowing that my children do.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
With a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and years of experience as a WiseGeek contributor, Tricia...
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