Georgia Medicaid offers free health insurance to qualified residents.
Georgia Medicaid provides medical coverage to low-income disabled individuals, children, adults 65 and older and very low-income adults who meet Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) income limits. Applicants must be United States citizens or qualified aliens living in Georgia. When determining eligibility, Medicaid uses assets and income from all household members. Current Medicaid members must report household or income changes affecting eligibility to maintain coverage.
Disabled and Aged Income Limits
As of 2010, disabled individuals and adults age 65 or older receiving Supplemental Security Income qualify for benefits if their income does not exceed $674 monthly or $1,011 for couples. The monthly income limit for disabled or aged members residing in nursing homes, receiving community care services or terminally ill hospice patients is $2,022. Medicaid limits resources to assets valued up to $2,000 for individuals and $3,000 for couples.
Families and Children Income Limits
Income limits for pregnant women and their infants is 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Children up to age one qualify for benefits if the household income is at or below 185 percent of the FPL. Children ages one through five qualify with household incomes at or below 133 percent of the FPL, and the income limit for children age six through 19 is 100 percent of the FPL. Low-income, able-bodied adults may qualify for Medicaid based on AFDC standards if their monthly income does not exceed $235.
Application Process
Apply for benefits at a local Georgia Division of Family and Children Services office or call 1-800-869-1150 for more information. Documents required, as part of the application process, include Social Security cards, proof of residency and citizenship or alien status and proof of income and assets. Additionally, Medicaid may require cooperation with child support services. Applicants receive a response to the application within 10 to 60 days, depending on household composition.
Considerations
Medicaid may be used in conjunction with other health insurance policies. Private or group health insurance provides primary coverage, and Medicaid helps pay for additional medical costs. Individuals with Medicare may qualify for premium, coinsurance and deductible assistance from Medicaid if their income is less than 100 percent of the FPL and their assets do not exceed $6,600 for individuals or $9,910 for couples. Medicaid also offers a medically needy "spend down" option for children, pregnant women and disabled or aged individuals who do not meet income requirements. With the "spend down" option, some health care costs are deducted from a person's countable income before eligibility determination.
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