UPDATE: Medicaid care in 2020 will take into account the same requirements and application steps as it did in recent years.

“Where do you sign up for Medicaid in Iowa?” is a question on the minds of prospective applicants. The IA Medicaid application process has a variety of options available to interested petitioners. The plethora of methods of how to apply for Medicaid in Iowa ensures that all individuals who need Medicaid coverage are able to sign up for it, especially for ill or disabled petitioners.

The Iowa Medicaid application form is available for submission through the internet, by mail or phone. Physical copies of the Iowa Medicaid application are available at an Iowa Department of Human Services office or downloadable from the Iowa DHS official website. A physical copy of the Medicaid application is necessary when a petitioner is applying by mail. If the petitioner chooses to apply for Medicaid online or by phone, a physical copy is not essential.

Find out more about the program including where to apply for Medicaid in Iowa will cover topics on:

• What Do You Need to Complete the Medicaid Application in Iowa?
• How to Apply for Medicaid by Mail in Iowa
• How to Apply for Medicaid by Phone in Iowa
• How to Apply for Medicaid Online in Iowa

What Do You Need to Complete the Medicaid Application in Iowa?

Before deciding where to apply for Medicaid, gather the information needed to complete the application. The Medicaid application will require specific information about the applicant’s identity and annual household income. It is important to gather all necessary records because the Medicaid application form may call for detailed information that the petitioner does not know without certain documents.

To complete the Iowa Medicaid application, the petitioner will need to provide:

• Identification (State issued I.D., driver’s license, birth certificate, etc.)
• Social Security Number or Alien Registration Number
• Household income information, including assets and benefits, received (proof of income may be tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, Supplemental Security Income, etc.)
• Proof of Iowa residency (a copy of a leasing agreement or mortgage, mail received in Iowa in the petitioner’s name, etc.)
• Policy number for other healthcare coverage, if any
• Proof of disability, if applying as a disabled person

Before submitting the Medicaid application form, always be certain that all questions are accurate and complete. Iowa may deny a Medicaid application with insufficient information, even if the applicant is eligible for Medicaid health coverage. Ensure that all materials necessary to fill out the IA Medicaid application form is readily available to complete the form fully and efficiently.

It is a good idea to fill out a Medicaid application even if the petitioner believes that he or she will not be eligible for Medicaid healthcare coverage. After the passing of the Affordable Care Act, the Medicaid programs in many states expanded to provide better coverage for more individuals. The eligibility qualifications for Medicaid are now more inclusive of low-income individuals who previously did not meet the former Medicaid guidelines but are still in need of healthcare coverage.

In past years, the state denied IA Medicaid applications filled out by adults younger than 64 years of age who do not have any disabilities or dependents even with the required income threshold. Now, this demographic is able to get Medicaid coverage in Iowa if the applicant demonstrates financial need.

To learn more about the application process for Medicaid, download our comprehensive guide.

How to Apply for Medicaid by Mail in Iowa

The Iowa Medicaid application form is available online at the Iowa Department of Human Services official website or at a local DHS office. Medicaid petitioners can mail Iowa Medicaid applications to the Iowa Department of Human Services headquarters. After the state processes the Medicaid application, DHS will send the petitioner a letter informing him or her about the coverage decision. The letter will have all of the information necessary to take the next step, whether the state approved the Medicaid application and the petitioner is ready to claim benefits, or denied and the petitioner wishes to make an appeal.

How to Apply for Medicaid by Phone in Iowa

Filling out a Medicaid application by phone is an excellent choice for petitioners who may have difficulty with reading and writing. To complete the Iowa Medicaid application form by phone, call the Iowa Department of Human Services application hotline. Petitioners who know how to apply for Medicaid will speak to a customer service representative who will assist with the completion of the application. Applicants who need additional assistance filling out the Iowa Medicaid application form may request extra help over the phone.

How to Apply for Medicaid Online in Iowa

To apply for Medicaid online, applicants must have access to a stable internet connection. Petitioners can fill out the digital Medicaid application form through the IA Department of Human Resources official website. Petitioners who apply for Medicaid online have access to many important resources, contacts and various forms that may make the application process easier.

As well as many helpful money-saving resources, petitioners who opt to complete the Medicaid application electronically will have 24/7 access to their application while it is pending. Online tools are available to make the application process simpler. For example, Iowa’s DHS website has a “Check Eligibility” tool that allows a user to see whether he or she may qualify for Medicaid health coverage. It is important to note however, that information given through any online tools prior to completing the Medicaid application is not a guarantee of coverage or eligibility.

In reference to how to apply for Medicaid online in Iowa, the user will first need to create a username and password to create an account. Creating an account makes the personal information given Medicaid application more secure and creates a localized place for all of the user’s individual Medicaid information. This login information is available to apply online for other state-funded assistance programs in Iowa.

Once the petitioner completes the online Medicaid application, he or she will receive the coverage decision electronically. The petitioner may access this information at any time. If the state approves the Medicaid application, the petitioner will be able to view important information about Medicaid coverage, including nearby Medicaid providers and information on how to renew Medicaid coverage each year. To learn more about the application process for Medicaid, download our comprehensive guide.