Can My Child Stay on Medicaid if I Get Married

Getting married might impact your child’s Medicaid coverage, but it doesn’t have to mean they lose it. It’s important to know that each state has their own rules and guidelines. In many cases, your child can stay on Medicaid even after you get married. The key is to report the change in your family situation to your state’s Medicaid office right away. They’ll review your child’s eligibility and let you know if anything changes. So, don’t hesitate to reach out for more information and assistance.

Marriage and Medicaid Eligibility

Marriage can impact a child’s Medicaid eligibility, but the specific rules vary by state. In general, if a parent marries, their child may become ineligible for Medicaid if the parent’s spouse has health insurance that covers the child. However, in some cases, the child may still be eligible for Medicaid if the parent’s spouse meets certain income requirements.

Income Limits

To determine if a child is eligible for Medicaid after their parent’s marriage, the child’s household income must be compared to the federal poverty level (FPL). In most states, a child is eligible for Medicaid if their household income is below 138% of the FPL. However, some states have higher income limits for children with disabilities.

Deeming Rules

In addition to income limits, many states also have deeming rules that determine how the income of a parent’s spouse is counted when determining a child’s Medicaid eligibility. Under deeming rules, a certain amount of the parent’s spouse’s income is counted as the child’s income. This can affect the child’s eligibility for Medicaid.

Spousal Support

In some cases, a parent may be required to pay spousal support to their former spouse. This can impact the child’s Medicaid eligibility. If the parent is required to pay spousal support, the amount of spousal support may be counted as the child’s income. This can affect the child’s eligibility for Medicaid.

State Variations

Medicaid eligibility rules vary from state to state. As a result, it is important to contact your state Medicaid office to learn more about the specific rules in your state. You can find contact information for your state Medicaid office on the Medicaid.gov website.

Dependent Coverage and Spousal Income

When you get married, your spouse’s income and assets may affect your child’s eligibility for Medicaid. Whether your child can stay on Medicaid after your marriage depends on several factors, including your state’s Medicaid rules, the type of Medicaid your child is enrolled in, your spouse’s income, and the number of people in your household.

Medicaid Eligibility

In general, children under the age of 19 are eligible for Medicaid if they meet certain income and asset limits. The income limit for children is usually higher than the income limit for adults. However, when you get married, your spouse’s income is counted as part of your household income, which can affect your child’s Medicaid eligibility.

  • Dependent Coverage:

In most states, children can stay on Medicaid even if their parents get married as long as they meet the eligibility requirements. This is because children are considered dependents and their income and assets are not counted when determining Medicaid eligibility.

  • Spousal Income:

In some states, the income of your spouse may be counted as part of your household income when determining Medicaid eligibility for your child. This means that if your spouse has a high income, your child may lose Medicaid coverage.

The table below shows how spousal income is counted for Medicaid eligibility in different states.

State Spousal Income Counted?
California No
New York Yes
Texas Yes

If you are concerned about your child’s Medicaid eligibility after your marriage, you should contact your state Medicaid office to learn more about the rules in your state.

Special Rules for Children with Disabilities

If your child has a disability, there are special rules that may allow them to stay on Medicaid even if you get married. These rules vary from state to state, so it is important to check with your state’s Medicaid office to find out what the specific rules are.

In general, however, the following rules may apply:

  • If your child is under the age of 18, they may be eligible for Medicaid regardless of your marital status.
  • If your child is 18 or older, they may still be eligible for Medicaid if they meet certain criteria, such as having a disability that prevents them from working.
  • If you are married to a person who is not the parent of your child, your child may still be eligible for Medicaid if they meet certain criteria, such as having a disability that prevents them from working.

It is important to note that these are just general rules and there may be exceptions or additional requirements that apply in your state. Therefore, it is important to contact your state’s Medicaid office to find out what the specific rules are.

Table of Possible Medicaid Eligibility for Children with Disabilities
Child’s Age Medicaid Eligibility
Under 18 Likely eligible regardless of parent’s marital status
18 or older Eligible if they meet certain criteria, such as having a disability that prevents them from working
Parent is married to a person who is not the child’s parent Child may be eligible if they meet certain criteria, such as having a disability that prevents them from working

Additional Resources:

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Thanks for sticking with me till the end of this article. I hope you found the information helpful. I know that dealing with government programs can be a real pain, but I hope this article has made it a little bit easier for you. If you have any other questions, please feel free to leave a comment below or visit my website for more information. I’ll be back soon with more articles to help you navigate the complexities of government programs. So check back later and let’s tackle your questions together.