Georgia Medicaid plans determine participant eligibility based on income and resources.
Medicaid provides health care benefits for low-income families and individuals. State and federal governments fund Medicaid and each state administers its own program. The Department of Community Health administers Medicaid benefits in the state of Georgia. The program contains separate participant categories and each category includes income limits that determine eligibility. Qualified Georgia residents can apply for Medicaid at any local Department of Family and Children Services office within the state.
Supplemental Security Income
Disabled, blind and senior residents who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) from the Social Security Administration can receive Medicaid benefits. As of December 2010, individual applicants can have a maximum income of $674 each month, not to exceed $8,088 annually. Couples can receive an income of up to $1,011 each month, up to $12,132 annually. SSI recipients must also meet resources limits, which can include assets in checking or savings accounts, individual retirement accounts or investment funds. Single participants can hold a maximum of $2,000 in resources, while couples can have up to $3,000.
Nursing Homes and Community Care
People who live in nursing homes can make up to $2,022 each month, not to exceed $24,264 annually. Guidelines limit resources to $2,000 for single participants and $3,000 for couples. People receiving services from community care service organizations must meet the same income and resource limits as nursing home patients.
Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries
Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries (QMBs) include people who have Part A Medicare coverage, limited resources, and incomes below 100 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL). Individual QMB participants can have a monthly income of up to $923, not to exceed $11,076 annually. Couples can receive incomes up to $1,235 each month, not to exceed $14,820 each year. Individuals can have up to $6,600 in resources and couples a maximum of $9,910.
Hospice
Georgia residents with terminal illness receiving hospice care can qualify for Medicaid benefits when their life expectancy does not exceed six months. Individual in hospice care can have monthly incomes up to $2,022, not to exceed $24,264 annually. Guidelines limit single patients to $2,000 in resources and participants with spouses can have up to $3,000.
Low-Income Medicaid
Households with children and adults who meet guidelines established by the Aid to Families with Dependent Children program can qualify as Low-income Medicaid (LIM) participants. The program bases eligibility on income per family size. Households with one person can qualify with a monthly income of $235, not to exceed $2,820 each year. Families with four people can qualify with a monthly income of $500, not to exceed $6,000 annually.
Right from the Start Medicaid for Pregnant Women and Their Infants
The Right from the Start Medicaid for Pregnant Women and Their Infants (RSM Adults and Newborns) category offers benefits for mothers and their infants who have incomes below 200 percent of the FPL. Women with one infant can make up to $1,805 each month, not to exceed $21,660 annually. Families of four can earn up to $3,675 monthly, and a maximum of $44,100 annually.
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