To qualify for Medicaid in the United States, individuals generally must meet certain criteria related to their income, resources, citizenship, and residency. Here are the qualifications for Medicaid based on the information from the search results:
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Income and Resources: Medicaid eligibility is primarily based on limited income and financial resources. The specific income thresholds may vary by state, but generally, individuals must have a low income to qualify for the program.
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Citizenship and Residency: Medicaid beneficiaries must be either citizens of the United States or qualified non-citizens. They must also be residents of the state in which they are receiving Medicaid.
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Age and Disability: Eligibility for Medicaid may also be determined based on age and disability. Individuals who are 65 and older or who have blindness or a disability are generally evaluated using the income methodologies of the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program.
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Specific Eligibility Groups: Certain groups of individuals are mandatory eligibility groups for Medicaid, including low-income families, qualified pregnant women and children, and individuals receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI). States also have the option to cover other groups, such as individuals receiving home and community-based services and children in foster care who are not otherwise eligible.
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Expansion Under the Affordable Care Act: The Affordable Care Act of 2010 created the opportunity for states to expand Medicaid to cover nearly all low-income Americans under age 65. This expansion extended eligibility for children to at least 133% of the federal poverty level in every state, with the option for states to extend eligibility to adults with income at or below 133% of the federal poverty level.
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State-Specific Requirements: Each state may have its own specific eligibility criteria and income thresholds for Medicaid. For example, in Ohio, individuals must be residents of the state, U.S. nationals, citizens, permanent residents, or legal aliens, and have a household income below certain amounts to qualify for Medicaid.
In summary, the qualifications for Medicaid in the United States are primarily based on income, citizenship, residency, and specific eligibility groups, with variations in income thresholds and specific criteria across different states.
