What is Medicaid?
Medicaid provides health coverage to nearly 60 million children, families, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Medicaid covers US citizens and eligible immigrants.
Medicaid Is Available in Every State
All States provide Medicaid to infants and children under age 6 with family incomes up to 133% of the federal poverty level, or FPL. Medicaid is available in every state for children under age 19 with family incomes up to 100% of the FPL. For a family or household of 4 persons living in one of the 48 contiguous states or the District of Columbia, the poverty guideline for 2014 is $23,850. Separate poverty guideline figures are developed for Alaska and Hawaii, and different guidelines may apply to the Territories. The guidelines can be found at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2014-01-22/pdf/2014-01303.pdf.
What Does Medicaid Pay For?
Medicaid pays for a full set of services for children, including preventive care, immunizations, screening and treatment of health conditions, doctor and hospital visits, and vision and dental care. In most cases, these services are provided at no cost to families.
Applying for Health Coverage Is Easy and Confidential
To get started, make a free call to 1-877 KIDS NOW (1-877-543-7669). When you call our free and confidential hotline, you’ll be connected directly to someone from your state who will help you apply. Families will need to complete an application and provide some documents. Depending on the State, you can complete the application through the mail, over the phone, or even on line. Learn more about health coverage programs in your state.