Learn How To Apply For Medicaid With Our Guide

Learn How To Apply For Medicaid With Our Guide

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What are the requirements for Medicaid and who is eligible for Medicaid in Florida? Medicaid eligibility requirements are state-specific, so candidates must learn how to qualify for Medicaid in Florida if they plan to apply for government-sponsored health coverage in the Sunshine State. What are the general Medicaid requirements and what are the income requirements for Medicaid in Florida?

Since Medicaid benefits are intended for low-income patients who cannot otherwise afford medical assistance, an applicant’s annual reported earnings are an important factor, and vary depending on your household. And, like all other states, to be eligible for Medicaid, you must meet a mandatory list of standards that are partially enforced by the federal government.

Who meets requirements for Medicaid in Florida?

The first step in determining if you are eligible for Medicaid in Florida is to review the types of patients the state deems as qualified. What are the Medicaid application guidelines regarding Medicaid eligibility groups in FL? There are many different candidates that qualify for Medicaid, even though the state has not yet elected for Medicaid expansion plans. The following patients meet eligibility for Medicaid benefits in Florida:

  • Pregnant women (Presumptively Eligible Pregnant Women may be able to receive temporary medical assistance)
  • Children who are younger than 21 years of age
  • Parents or caretaker relatives
  • Those eligible for Temporary Cash Assistance in Florida (whether they opt to receive it or not)
  • Families who have lost Medicaid due to increased income (you may be eligible for up to an additional year) or alimony (you can gain Medicaid for another four months)
  • Individuals who were formerly in foster care under age 26
  • Any residents who currently receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) through the Social Security Administration
  • Those in nursing home facilities or who receive home- or community-based care
  • Patients over age 65 as well as the disabled (you are eligible through SSI-Related Medicaid)

If the candidate does not qualify for Medicaid because he or she does not belong to one of the Medicaid eligibility groups listed, he or she may still be able to receive medical assistance. If the petitioner is considered Medically Needy in Florida, he or she can receive shared-cost Medicaid.

Moreover, if the applicant is not a valid U.S. citizen, he or she may still be able to receive emergency medical assistance. Still, the state offers assistance for those deemed not eligible for Medicaid through help with prescription drugs. Learn more about Medicaid requirements by downloading our comprehensive guide.

What are the requirements for Medicaid in Florida?

Medicaid benefits eligibility in Florida adheres to a strict code of rules enforced by the Florida Department of Children and Families. And, while many requirements for Medicaid are specific to each state, there are several, non-negotiable items that do overlap throughout the U.S. The following are considered non-financial Medicaid requirements in FL:

  • Applicant must be a Florida resident – In order to qualify for Medicaid in the state of Florida, the applicant must be able to prove Florida residency. This means that candidates must reside within the state borders in order to receive the Medicaid benefits you are seeking. In order to confirm being a resident in FL, petitioners must have a form of official identification. A Florida driver’s license or valid ID card will suffice.
  • Applicants must have a Social Security Number – Since Medicaid is a program funded by both the state and federal governmental bodies, a Social Security Number acts as a national identifier. In addition, the Social Security Office can confirm taxed earnings, when it comes time to examine income requirements for Medicaid. Note that all Florida government-sponsored assistance programs require beneficiaries to have a registered Social Security Number.
  • Applicant must be a U.S. citizen – United States citizenship is another one of the main requirements to be eligible for Medicaid. Applicants need citizenship documents or proof of legal presence to be in the country to meet Medicaid benefits eligibility. If the candidate does not have the proper citizenship papers, he or she may be able to receive emergency health assistance if needed while residing in the state of Florida.

Once the petitioner meets the above Medicaid requirements, the next step is to review the Medicaid income requirements. Then, applicants can finalize their Florida Medicaid eligibility.

What are the Income Requirements for Medicaid in Florida?

What are the income requirements for Medicaid in Florida, exactly? In order to qualify for Medicaid financially in Florida, a candidate must only earn an income within his or her designated group’s federal poverty level. The Medicaid income requirements are calculated by a system known as the MAGI: Modified Adjusted Gross Income. Read on to review the earnings breakdown for patient groups in Florida.

Families that are within 100 percent of the federal poverty level in Florida can apply for Medicaid benefits. Keep in mind that the income levels increase slightly depending on household size. Pregnant women must earn no more than 185 percent of the federal poverty level to meet FL Medicaid qualifications, while infants under age 1 must be within the household income range of 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Meanwhile, children ages 1 through 6 and 6 through 19 must live in households that report earnings no more than 133 percent of the federal poverty level to receive Medicaid eligibility.

If a candidate is aged, disabled or elderly, and currently receiving SSI-related benefits, his or her Medicaid income limit ranges between $733 and $2,199 as an individual and $1,100 and $4,398 for couples, depending on his or her medical circumstances. Keep in mind that former children of foster care are eligible for Medicaid in FL regardless of their earnings. Download our helpful guide to learn about the different requirements for Medicaid.