Medicaid is intended for families and even to those Texas individuals with meager income to recieve benefits from a health program in the U.S. It is a subsidy and insurance program of the government for individuals who, regardless of age, are financially-incapable to sustain health care. The federal government is the one one funding this program. The state of Texas manages Medicaid and they are given the freedom in determining qualifiers of this helpful program.

Texas Medicaid aims to improve health of Texas people by ensuring that each qualifier receives high-quality and competitive health care service. It also wants to emphasize on prevention procedures continuity of care and also be able to provide a medical home for each and every Texas Medicaid recipient.

Texas Medicaid Eligibility Requirements For Seniors

If I Give Away My House and All My Money - Will I Qualify?

Not anymore. There is a 5-year look-back law now. Uncle Sam government will find your money and make you pay it back. You should consult an Elderlaw attorney specializing in Medicaid to understand the acceptable ways to "spend-down" assets to qualify for Medicaid as a low-income senior.

You can gift away some assets within limits to a beneficiary, but you should remember that these assets will no longer be in your control. Also remember that the leading type of elder abuse is financial, many times by a family member. Spousal poverty protection laws have been passed to allow the spouse of a senior who needs long-term nursing home care to maintain usually up to 50% of the couple’s assets.

To qualify for Medicaid in Texas, any interested individual must be an American Citizen, or an immigrant with legal and permanent residency status, and who is currently residing in the State of Texas.

Coverage can possibly begin from 3-months prior to the application’s approval. Applications sometimes take longer than expected. You should ask about the usual approval timeframe when you submit your initial application for Medicaid coverage.

Follow these guidelines on how you qualify for Medicaid in Texas:

• Gather documents that will prove your identity but more importantly your eligibility for the Texas Medicaid Program. Proof of Identity like ID Cards, Driver’s License, Social Security numbers and immigration paperwork proves your lawful admission to the country. Bank Statements, find paystubs and other supporting documents that will prove your current value are also needed. Contact your Texas Medicaid provider in order to verify if you are eligible and qualified to be part of the program.

• You may be considered as a qualifier if you are one of these individuals: children for whom no medical care can be financed; women who are pregnant; non-citizens who need urgent medical care; and children and their families with low income. This guideline answers the question who qualifies for Medicaid?

• Chose the sub-program of the Texas Medicaid as applicable to your health needs. CHIP for Children Medicaid, STAR Medicaid Managed Care Program, STAR Plus Program and Women’s Health Program are among the many sub-programs you can choose from.

The minimum income to qualify for Medicaid depends on the number of family members. A family of 7 with a minimum monthly income of $3,303.00 may be qualified. A single individual with a monthly income of $958.00 may also be eligible to become a recipient. The choice of sub-program is also affected by the individual’s income. For example, the annual income for a family of four must not go beyond $20,650 in order to qualify for Children’s Medicaid. However, it should be below $41,300 to qualify for CHIP.

Federal Poverty Levels (FPL) are also considered when deliberating individual eligibility. Pregnant women and infants with age ranging from 0 to 1 need 185% FPL. Children with age ranging from 1 to 5 need 133% FPL. Children from 6 to 18 years of age need 100% FPL. Parents with children from 0 to 18 years of age need 26% FPL. Aged and disabled people need 75% FPL.

Once tagged as eligible for benefits, Medicaid in Texas covers payment for acute health care (lab procedures, physician, inpatient, outpatient, pharmacy) and also long-term services and also support for aged and disabled individuals.