Medicaid Application

The Medicaid Application Process for Medicare Recipients

Even if you are on Medicare, Medicaid may help pay for your Medicare premiums and other out-of-pocket costs like copayments, coinsurance and deductibles. Medicaid is for low-income individuals and other qualifiers, such as the disabled.

Medicaid is funded jointly by the federal government and states, but individual states administer it and determine the Medicaid application process. Complete your Medicaid application through the Medicaid application process for the state in which you reside.

If your income is limited or you match any of the Medicaid eligibility qualifications, you may want to fill out a Medicaid application even if you're not sure if you qualify. Let a Medicaid caseworker review your application and all the information and documentation that you are instructed to include with your Medicaid application. You may be surprised.

The Medicaid Application Process

The Medicaid application process is different for each state. Your state's Medicaid office is available to answer questions about the application, qualifying for Medicaid, or the application process. Go to www.cms.gov/MedicaidEligibility/downloads/ListStateMedicaidWebsites.pdf to check eligibility requirements and to link to the Medicaid application process and an application form for your state.

You usually have three options to complete a Medicaid application:

A phone application.
Complete an application in person at a community Medicaid office.
Complete an application online through your state Medicaid website.

Information to Have on Hand for Your Medicaid Application

When completing your Medicaid application, you will need the following:

Birth certificate or driver's license
Social security card or proof of alien status.
Paystubs, Social Security statements, Supplemental Security Income, Veteran's Benefits, or other retirement income or tax return to prove your income.
Proof of any financial assets available to you.
Proof of disability - If you are completing a Medicaid application because you're disabled, your doctor may need to submit documentation as specified on your Medicaid application.
Proof of residence.
Your red, white and blue Medicare card or other proof of insurance.

Response time for your Medicaid application

Be prepared to wait 45 days for processing your Medicaid application. If you're disabled, you'll wait up to 90 days for Medicaid to process your application. If your application is incomplete, you'll wait even longer. Make sure your Medicaid application and all other necessary documentation is complete and follow all instructions on the Medicaid application to avoid delays.

Medicaid Appeal Rights for Denied Applications

If your Medicaid application is denied, you have a right to appeal the decision. You have a right to "due process" whenever a Medicaid application is denied or benefits are reduced or terminated. Look up your state's Medicaid grievance and appeals process online or visit www.cms.hhs.gov/medicaid/statemap.asp.