Kansas Medicaid (KanCare) helps to pay healthcare costs for eligible individuals. If you would like to learn how to qualify for Medicaid, there are a number of requirements applicants must meet. But what are the requirements for Medicaid? The Kansas Medicaid eligibility requirements are different from those of other states. This is because Medicaid programs vary across states. This means Medicaid members cannot transfer their membership to another state’s program.

What Are the General Medicaid Requirements in Iowa?

The eligibility for Kansas Medicaid is periodically reviewed by the state. Every year, applicants are required to update their information with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment when renewing their Medicaid. Who is eligible for Medicaid?

Eligibility requirements for Kansas Medicaid apply only to the following groups of people:

• Children under 19 years
• Foster care children (including former foster care children)
• Low income families
• Pregnant women
• Seniors aged 65 and over
• Disabled or blind applicants as determined by Social Security (SSDS and/or SSI) or trying to get there (PMDT)

General Kansas Medicaid benefits eligibility is dependent on citizenship, income level and whether an applicant is in a special group. The applicant must also act on their own behalf and learn to submit a Medicaid application to be approved for the program. Read on to find out:

• What are the income requirements for Medicaid in Kansas?
• Kansas Medicaid requirements that are not income-related
• Other programs that provide Kansas Medicaid eligibility

What Are the Application Guidelines for Medicaid in Kansas?

One of the Medicaid eligibility requirements is that an applicant’s individual or household income must be below a certain limit. The income limit requirement is different for various applicants and varies from program to program.

What are the Medicaid application guidelines? Generally, the household’s countable income is considered. Earned income such as wages from self-employment or a job can be used to determine eligibility. Kansas Medicaid eligibility requirements also include unearned income such as Social Security, disability payment and unemployment payments.

However, some types of income are not used to determine Medicaid eligibility. The medical program you wish to apply for will determine the types of income that can be exempted. Examples of exempted incomes include child support income, lump sum payments, and certain VA payments.

1. Parents and Caregivers

   Kansas Medicaid eligibility requirements for parents or caregivers with children under 19 years have the lowest income requirements. Applicants eligible for this program include children living with parents, relatives, a legal guardian or other caregivers.

   With all Medicaid coverage programs, applicants must be US citizens and residents of Kansas to qualify. According to Kansas Medicaid eligibility requirements, the family size is determined by your income tax unit. When applying for coverage, every person living in the home should be listed. The agency will decide who will be included in your household coverage. Generally, the household income is the same as your income tax unit.

   Below are the income standards considered for Medicaid in Kansas.

   • 1 person in plan = $385 monthly income
   • 2 members in plan = $522 monthly income
   • 3 members in plan = $659 monthly income
   • 4 members in plan = $795 monthly income

   *Add $137 for each additional member.

   For families that exceed the maximum income limit for this program, children can be considered for coverage under the children’s medical program discussed in the next section.

2. Pregnant Women

   Kansas Medicaid eligibility requirements for pregnant women also factor income of the applicants. Pregnant women are eligible for coverage if they meet the citizenship and residential requirements of Kansas Medicaid. The family size is determined by the income tax unit. An unborn child is also included in the family size.

   When applying for Kansas Medicaid coverage, you can include your parents in your coverage if they claim you as a tax dependent or if you are a minor. Kansas Medicaid eligibility requirements for pregnant women do not include assets when determining income levels. For pregnant women applying for Medicaid, the monthly countable income of your family is compared to the family-size based monthly income standards listed below.

   • 2 members = $475 monthly income
   • 3 members = $480 monthly income
   • 4 members = $497 monthly income
   • 5 members = $558 monthly income

   *For each additional person, add $61.

   You will qualify for Kansas Medicaid if your income is below the appropriate standard.

What Are the Non-Income Related Medicaid Requirements in Kansas?

The Medicaid eligibility requirements vary depending on the group that an applicant falls in. Generally, a candidate who is eligible for Medicaid is required to be a US citizen and a resident of Kansas. Applicants that are not US citizens should be eligible non-citizens. Non-US citizens are covered under a program known as SOBRA. This program covers them only for essential services, i.e. emergency health services, including labor and delivery.

Learn About Other Programs

Children are also covered in Kansas Medicaid through a special children’s program. To qualify for coverage, children should be below 19 years of age and meet the guidelines related to citizenship and residency. According to Kansas Medicaid guidelines, resources or assets are not counted in the Child Medicaid program.

Kansas Medicaid eligibility requirements related to income require applicants to include all the income of individuals in the family. The income includes Social Security (except SSI), unemployment benefits, self-employment and wages from a job. The income standards vary depending on the age of the child. The child can either be covered by:

• KanCare (for lower income families)
• KenCare under CHIP Plan (For children that don’t qualify for the first program)

Learn About Coverage for the Elderly

Presumptive Medical Disability (PMDT) is also offered to eligible citizens. Kansas Medicaid eligibility requirements for PMDT disability are based on Social Security disability guidelines. Applicants can either apply for KanCare or MediKan.

To be eligible for MediKan, applicants must be adults without minor children. The income is limited at $250 for a single person and $325 for a married couple. This program is fully funded by the state and has limited benefits of 12 months. If you apply for MediKan and get approved, you cannot get KanCare.

Other Medicaid Programs for the disabled include:

• Nursing facility medical programs
• Medically needy program
• Spousal impoverishment
• Home and community based services
• PACE
• Estate Recovery Program
• SOBRA