Medicaid was created to help individuals that can't afford to pay for medical care. Medicaid can make it possible for you to get the help you need to get and stay healthy.

Medicaid is administered by the state and each state sets its own guidelines regarding services and eligibility. Certain low-income individuals and families who fit into an eligibility group based on federal and state law qualify for Medicaid. You do not get money paid directly to you. The payments are made directly to your health care providers. Some states may also ask you to co-pay a small part of the cost for some medical services.

Many types of people are covered by Medicaid. Even within these groups certain requirements must be met. These may include your age, whether you are pregnant, disabled, blind, or aged; your income and resources (like bank accounts, real property, or other items that can be sold for cash); and whether you are a U.S. citizen or a lawfully admitted immigrant. The rules for counting your income and resources vary from state to state and from group to group. There are special rules for those who live in nursing homes and for disabled children living at home.

Your child may be eligible for coverage if he or she is a U.S. citizen or a lawfully admitted immigrant, even if you are not (however, there is a 5-year limit that applies to lawful permanent residents). Eligibility for children is based on the child's status, not the parent's. Also, if someone else's child lives with you, the child may be eligible even if you are not because your income and resources will not count for the child.

In general, you should apply for Medicaid if your income is low and you match one of the descriptions of the Eligibility Groups.  (Even if you are not sure whether you qualify, if you or someone in your family needs health care, you should apply for Medicaid and have a qualified caseworker in your state evaluate your situation.)

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