Medicaid in Georgia provides health coverage to individuals and families with low incomes and limited resources. It is a joint federal and state program that helps cover the cost of medical care for those who qualify. To be eligible for Medicaid in Georgia, you must meet certain income and asset requirements. Generally, you must be a Georgia resident, a U.S. citizen or qualified non-citizen, and have income and assets below certain limits. Children, pregnant women, people with disabilities, and people over 65 may also qualify for Medicaid, regardless of their income or assets. If you are unsure whether you qualify for Medicaid, you can apply online or contact your local Medicaid office for more information.
Financial and Asset Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for Medicaid in Georgia, individuals must meet certain financial and asset eligibility requirements. These requirements vary depending on the type of Medicaid program for which you are applying. Generally, you must meet the following criteria:
- U.S. citizen or qualified immigrant
- Georgia resident
- Income and assets below certain limits
- Meet specific categorical requirements for the program (e.g., age, disability, pregnancy, or family status)
Income Limits
Income eligibility for Medicaid in Georgia is based on modified adjusted gross income (MAGI), which is your adjusted gross income (AGI) plus certain income exclusions. The MAGI limit varies depending on the Medicaid program:
| Program | MAGI Limit |
|---|---|
| Children and pregnant women (CHIP) | 138% of the federal poverty level (FPL) |
| Adults without children | 138% of the FPL |
| Parents and caretaker relatives | 185% of the FPL |
| People with disabilities | 138% of the FPL |
| People over 65 (Aged, Blind, and Disabled) | 138% of the FPL |
Note: The FPL is a measure of poverty issued annually by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Asset Limits
Asset limits for Medicaid in Georgia also vary by program:
- CHIP: $2,000 for individuals and $4,000 for families
- Adults without children: $2,000 for individuals and $3,000 for couples
- Parents and caretaker relatives: $3,000 for individuals and $6,000 for couples
- People with disabilities: $2,000 for individuals and $3,000 for couples
- People over 65 (Aged, Blind, and Disabled): $2,000 for individuals and $3,000 for couples
Note: Some assets are exempt from the limits, such as a home, a car, and personal belongings.
It’s important to note that Medicaid eligibility requirements can change, so it’s best to check with the Georgia Department of Community Health for the most up-to-date information.
Residency
To qualify for Medicaid in Georgia, you must be a resident of the state. This means you must have a permanent address in Georgia and intend to live there long-term.
There are a few exceptions to this rule.
- You may be eligible for Medicaid if you are temporarily living in Georgia while receiving medical treatment.
- You may also be eligible if you are a student attending school in Georgia.
- Finally, you may be eligible if you are a migrant worker or seasonal farmworker.
Citizenship
To qualify for Medicaid in Georgia, you must be a United States citizen, a qualified non-citizen, or a lawfully admitted permanent resident.
Qualified non-citizens include:
- Refugees
- Asylees
- Victims of human trafficking
- Certain Cuban and Haitian entrants
Age Requirements
There are no age requirements to qualify for Medicaid in Georgia. However, there are some programs that are only available to certain age groups.
For example, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) is available to children under the age of 19. The Aged, Blind, and Disabled (ABD) program is available to people who are 65 or older, blind, or disabled.
| Age Group | Medicaid Program |
|---|---|
| 0-18 | Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) |
| 19-64 | Medicaid for Adults |
| 65+ | Aged, Blind, and Disabled (ABD) |
Pregnancy-Related Coverage
In Georgia, Medicaid provides comprehensive health coverage for pregnant women and new mothers. This coverage includes:
- Prenatal care, including doctor visits, lab tests, and ultrasounds
- Delivery and hospitalization costs, including C-sections and complications
- Postpartum care, including doctor visits and follow-up care
- Family planning services, including birth control and counseling
To qualify for pregnancy-related Medicaid coverage in Georgia, you must meet the following criteria:
- Be pregnant or have recently given birth (up to 60 days ago)
- Be a Georgia resident
- Meet the income and asset limits set by the state
The income and asset limits for pregnancy-related Medicaid coverage in Georgia are as follows:
| Household Size | Income Limit | Asset Limit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2,576 per month | $2,000 |
| 2 | $3,493 per month | $3,000 |
| 3 | $4,410 per month | $4,000 |
| 4 | $5,327 per month | $5,000 |
| 5 | $6,244 per month | $6,000 |
| 6 | $7,161 per month | $7,000 |
| 7 | $8,078 per month | $8,000 |
| 8 | $8,995 per month | $9,000 |
If you meet these criteria, you can apply for pregnancy-related Medicaid coverage online or by calling the Georgia Medicaid office. You will need to provide proof of your pregnancy, such as a doctor’s note or a positive pregnancy test.
Once you are approved for pregnancy-related Medicaid coverage, you will receive a Medicaid card. This card will allow you to access all of the covered services at no cost. You will not be responsible for any copayments or deductibles.
Medicaid Eligibility in Georgia: Blindness, Disability, and Long-Term Care
Medicaid is a state and federal health insurance program that provides healthcare coverage to individuals and families with low income and limited resources. In Georgia, Medicaid is administered by the Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS). To qualify for Medicaid in Georgia, individuals must meet certain eligibility requirements, including income and asset limits, as well as specific medical conditions.
Blindness
- Individuals who are legally blind, with visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with best correction, or a field of vision of 20 degrees or less, are eligible for Medicaid in Georgia.
- Proof of blindness must be provided in the form of a statement from an ophthalmologist or optometrist.
Disability
- Individuals who have a physical or mental impairment that prevents them from engaging in substantial gainful activity (SGA) are eligible for Medicaid in Georgia.
- SGA is defined as earning more than $1,350 per month for individuals and $2,260 per month for couples.
- Proof of disability must be provided in the form of a statement from a doctor or other qualified medical professional.
Long-Term Care Eligibility
- Individuals who need nursing home care or other long-term care services and have limited income and assets may be eligible for Medicaid in Georgia.
- To qualify, individuals must meet certain income and asset limits, as well as have a functional impairment that requires a nursing home level of care.
- Proof of functional impairment must be provided in the form of a statement from a doctor or other qualified medical professional.
| Category | Income Limit (Gross Monthly) | Asset Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Individuals | $2,523 | $2,000 |
| Couples | $4,085 | $3,000 |
Well folks, that just about covers who qualifies for Medicaid in Georgia. Hopefully, this helped you figure out if you may be eligible. If you’re still curious or have more questions, come back and visit us again soon. We’ll update frequently with new information, so check back later for even more helpful tips and insights. Thanks y’all for reading, and see ya later!