If I’m Unemployed Can I Get Medicaid

What Happens To Your Employer

If you are laid off from your job, your health insurancecoverage typically ends when your job does. Some employers will extend benefitsto the end of the month in which you are laid off, but this varies from companyto company. Under a federal program known as COBRA, you may keep your currentinsurance, but you must pay the full amount of the premiums and any otherexpenses previously covered by your former employer.

The cost of keeping your current coverage under COBRA can bequite high. Many individuals find it is more cost-effective to enroll in anunemployed health insurance plan that will offer similar coverage for lessmoney in many cases.

What Information Will I Need To Have Ready To Apply

You will need to provide information such as name, date of birth, and gender for all members of the household. You will need to provide information about all sources of income received by household members and whether individuals have other insurance. For more on what counts as income, read this blog by Tricia Brooks. You will also need to provide Social Security numbers for anyone applying for coverage.

How Much Does Health Insurance Cost Without A Job

The cost of health insurance will depend on the type of plan you choose. The cheapest option could be Medicaid, which is free to low-cost, or a plan through the ACA marketplace, which has a variety of coverage options and discounted rates based on income.

Find Cheap Health Insurance Quotes in Your Area

Also Check: Where To File Unemployment Taxes

Spouses Or Parents Health Insurance Plan

We saved this option for last for a reason. Sometimes, being on your spouses plan isnt the most cost-effective option in typical circumstancesthats why you arent already on the same plan! And most people dont actually want to put their health care burden on a parent. But lets face itit could be the right move for a season.

If youre unemployed and married and your spouse has health insurance through their employer, you can be included on their policy in most cases. Or if youre under 26 years old, youre legally eligible to be included on your parents insurance policy.4

Also Check: 1099-g Turbotax Free

Effective Date Of Coverage

Once an individual is determined eligible for Medicaid, coverage is effective either on the date of application or the first day of the month of application. Benefits also may be covered retroactively for up to three months prior to the month of application, if the individual would have been eligible during that period had he or she applied. Coverage generally stops at the end of the month in which a person no longer meets the requirements for eligibility.

Recommended Reading: How To Draw Unemployment In Missouri

How Do You Qualify For Medicaid While Working

To qualify for Medicaid while working, you must:

Note: In some states, you must have qualified for Medicaid the month before these rules apply.

Read Also: What Are The Medicaid Plans In Texas

Are You Eligible For Medicaid Even If You Work

Many States provide Medicaid eligibility based on SSI eligibility regardless of whether you meet the Stateâsown definition of medical need. Even if you lose your cash benefitsbecause countable income is more than the FBR plus the State supplement,if any, you may be eligible for continued Medicaid coverage. Medicaidcoverage continues for most working disabled or blind people whenearnings become high enoughto cause SSI cash benefits to stop.

NOTE: Performance of SGA is not an issue.One dollar in countable earned income is enough to qualify if allother requirements are met.

Recommended Reading: How To Sign Up For Unemployment In Pa

Medicaid Eligibility In Maryland

Medicaid is a nationwide program that provides free and/or affordable health care coverage for millions of citizens including children, expectant mothers, seniors, individuals with disabilities, and low-income families. Benefits include primary care, prescription, dental, eye care, hospitalizations, specialized care, and mental health services.

Also Check: How Do I Add Someone To My Medicaid

Emergency Health Coverage For The Unemployed And Uninsured In Response To The Pandemic And Economic Crisis

To guarantee immediate coverage for all of the unemployed, Congress should pass legislation to rapidly enroll them in Medicaid.

Nearly 38 million Americans have filed claims for unemployment insurance, and many more live in households in which someone has lost a job. As a result, nearly 27 million people could lose their employer coverage and become uninsured. Among this group, about half could be eligible for Medicaid, and several million more would be eligible for subsidies under the Affordable Care Act . However, major gaps in coverage and affordability would remain. If the unemployment rate reaches 20 percent, Oliver Wyman estimates that the number of uninsured will increase by about 9 million people.

To respond to this crisis and help as many people as quickly as possible, this column proposes emergency health coverage for the unemployed and uninsured. This emergency health coverage would build on one of the most popular parts of the ACAits Medicaid expansionby automatically enrolling the unemployed into Medicaid. In doing so, it would guarantee immediate coverage for all of the unemployed.

Also Check: Can You Apply For Covered California If You Are Unemployed

Since I Was Laid Off Is Medicaid An Option For Me

Medicaid may be an option for you, depending on where you live. If youre in a state that has expanded Medicaid, coverage is available if your income is up to 138% of the poverty level. If your state has not expanded Medicaid, eligibility is significantly more restricted. Contact your state Medicaid office or the exchange to see if you could qualify for Medicaid until you get another job. But you can qualify for premium subsidies even with an income below the poverty level in those states, if youre receiving any unemployment compensation in 2021.

Assuming youre in a state that has expanded Medicaid, youll qualify for Medicaid during the time that you have no income. You can then switch to a private plan in the exchange or to an employer-sponsored plan if you get a job later in the year and your total annual income is going to end up being more than 138% of the poverty level. Youll have the opportunity to make that coverage change if and when your income picks up again, but the state will not terminate your Medicaid coverageunless you ask them to do sountil the COVID pandemic emergency period is over this is due to federal rules that prevent coverage terminations for states receiving additional COVID-related Medicaid funding, which are states are receiving.

Read more about avoiding or escaping the coverage gap.

I Got Laid Off But They Offered Me Cobra It Is Way Too Expensive Can I Qualify For Medicaid

Maybe. For many people, COBRA, the insurance you can buy into when you lose your job, is too expensive. And even if you decide to enroll in COBRA, it doesnt mean you cant apply for Medicaid. You can apply for and enroll in Medicaid any time. If you qualify for Medicaid, you can drop your COBRA coverage even after you enrolled in it.

Recommended Reading: Can I Get Unemployment While Waiting For Disability

When Should You Use Cobra

COBRA is usually not the most cost-effective way to get health insurance. We recommend that you only use it for a few months or in the following situations:

• Stopgap to continue coverage while waiting for another policy to begin.
• To keep using a plan’s benefits when you’re receiving ongoing health care and you’ve already met the plan’s deductible or out-of-pocket maximum. In this situation, the higher monthly costs of a COBRA plan are offset by lower medical costs because the plan details carry forward when it switches from employer coverage to COBRA.

Analyzing Data From The 2014 Sipp

As this report explains, the more recent 2014 SIPP would only extend our analysis by a few months and is still being revised. For these reasons, we have chosen to conduct our analysis using the last year of the earlier panel. Nonetheless, as a robustness check, we replicated our analysis using these data, which cover the 2013 calendar year. As the table shows, results are similar to those from the earlier SIPP panel.

Read Also: How To Add New Baby To Medicaid

Recommended Reading: Can I File For Unemployment If Im Pregnant

How Much Will Medicaid Cost Me

It depends. Every state is different. You will probably not have to pay a monthly premium for Medicaid, but most people do have some out-of-pocket costs.2 Emergency services, family-planning services, pregnancy-related services and preventive care for children are all fully covered with no additional cost to you.

I Lost My Job During The Pandemic My Only Income Is From Unemployment Insurance Benefits Is There Affordable Coverage For Me

There are new affordable coverage options for you under the American Rescue Plan, depending on where you live:

Medicaid: In most states, you may be able qualify for no-cost/low-cost public health plan coverage under Medicaid. Eligibility is based on current household income. If your income is no more than 138% FPL you can qualify. To be eligible for Medicaid, you also must be a US citizen or lawfully-present immigrant who meets other requirements.

In 2021, people receiving UI benefits can qualify for specially enhanced subsidies for marketplace plans. Eligibility for marketplace subsidies is based on your annual income. However, during 2021 only, if you will receive UI benefits for even one week during the year, the marketplace will disregard your household income above 133% FPL That means you will qualify for a zero-premium benchmark silver plan, after accounting for your premium tax credit. In addition, you will qualify for cost sharing reductions that substantially reduce the silver plan deductible .

Tags

You May Like: Unemployment Benefits In Washington State

If I Get Medicaid But Am Offered Private Insurance With Work But Cost Too Much Can I Stay With Medicaid

There is no easy answer to this question because there are several different things that could happenâ¦.you could keep the Medicaid and not take the insurance through your job however if for some reason you lose the Medicaid you may have missed the open enrollment period with your employer. If that happens you will still be able to get health insurance but based on your income you may not qualify for any tax credits.

Hope this helps clarify everything!!

Read Also: How To Qualify For Medicaid In Utah

Other Help For The Unemployed

Medicaid is not the only resource you might be eligible for if you have lost a job. Apart from your states unemployment compensation program, you could benefit from a range of support services intended to help financially struggling people get by until another job opens up. Programs you might consider looking into include:

• SNAP, also called food stamps
• TANF, also called cash aid or welfare
• WIC nutritional support for young children
• County or state job placement assistance or retraining services
• Emergency food or housing vouchers
• Low-Income Housing Assistance, formerly called Section 8

Fortunately, many of these programs are administered by the same health and human services office that takes your Medicaid application. If you are recently out of work, speak with a worker in this office about the various programs you may qualify for. Often, approval for Medicaid or another low-income support program makes you automatically eligible for other programs with similar enrollment criteria.

Also Check: How Long Does It Take For Unemployment To Deposit

Get The Cheapest Health Insurance When Unemployed

Find Cheap Health Insurance Quotes in Your Area

For most people who are unemployed, we recommend getting insurance through the Affordable Care Act health insurance marketplace.

Although there are several ways to get coverage, the most cost-effective option will be with a plan that reduces your health insurance costs based on your income, as ACA marketplace plans do. For example, a health insurance plan for someone who is recently unemployed can cost $47 per month. That assumes the person chooses a cheap Bronze plan and their total income for the year is $35,000, including the parts of the year when employed.

While Medicaid is even cheaper than the ACA marketplace, it’s only available for those who meet the income requirements, which can be less than $18,754 for individuals in many states. If you recently lost your job or your spouse is employed, it will be harder to qualify for Medicaid because other income sources, including unemployment income, are included when determining eligibility.

When shopping for coverage, watch out for short-term health insurance plans and their high deductibles. The cheap prices of these plans are attractive, but before the benefits kick in, you could have to pay thousands of dollars out of pocket for medical care.

I Am Now Unemployed How Can I Find Health Insurance

Health coverage options are available for people who have recently been laid off or lost their employer sponsored health insurance benefits:

• Granite Advantage Health Care Program: Medicaid Expansion coverage for no or low income individuals, ages 19-64
• Childrens Medical Assistance

Granite Advantage/Medicaid

You can enroll in the Granite Advantage Program or other Medicaid Programs if you are low or no income and need health coverage. There are also Medicaid programs available for children, pregnant women, and the medically frail.

• Learn more about the Granite Advantage Program
• Enroll in the Granite Advantage Program or Medicaid coverage through NH Easy or HealthCare.gov.
• There are several Medicaid Managed Care plans to choose from. Do your research to make sure that the plan you choose includes your preferred medical providers.

Health Insurance Marketplace

You can purchase medical and dental plans for yourself and/or your family on HealthCare.gov.

• How do I know if I qualify for the Marketplace outside of the Open Enrollment Period?
• HealthCare.gov provides Special Enrollment Periods for people who may have recently lost their employer sponsored health insurance coverage.
• You can apply for the SEP 60 days before they know their coverage will end and 60 days from the date you lost coverage.
• If you do not apply 60 days from the date your health insurance terminated, you will not be able to take advantage of the SEP.

Need Help?

Recommended Reading: When Can I File For Unemployment

Social Security Work Incentives

Dont let concerns about SSI benefits stop you from encouraging your child to find an employment setting that is right for them. Parents of youth with disabilities are very aware of the importance of healthcare for their children. Many have heard that SSI recipients will lose their Medicaid coverage if they earn any money. As a result, some families discourage their young adults from joining the workforce. This is not true. Be aware that the Social Security Administration has Work Incentive programs that allow young adults with disabilities to continue to receive Medicaid coverage while they explore careers or attend postsecondary education or job training.

Make an informed choice. If your son or daughter receives SSI, contact a Work Incentives Planning and Assistance Project in your state to see how they can continue to receive health coverage through Medicaid while they work. WIPA projects are community-based organizations that receive grants from SSA to provide all Social Security and Supplemental Security Income disability beneficiaries with free work incentives planning and assistance.

WIPA services are available in every state, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Call 1-866-968-7842 or 1-866-833-2967 for locations WIPA organizations or see the online SSA service provider directory.

Aca Health Insurance Marketplace

For most unemployed people, a health insurance plan through the Affordable Care Act marketplace will provide the best coverage at the lowest rates.

Anyone can get coverage through the marketplace regardless of income, making it useful for those who are recently unemployed or seasonally unemployed. Plus, the amount you’ll pay for a plan is based on your expected annual income, which helps to make insurance more affordable.

Frequently called “Obamacare” plans, health insurance plans on the marketplace are sold by private insurance companies. Plans are grouped into tiers â Catastrophic, Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum â making it easier to find the best level of coverage for you. You can also cancel your insurance at any time.

All plans provide comprehensive benefits for medical care, including free preventive care. You can’t be charged more because of a medical condition, and you also can’t be denied coverage because of a preexisting condition. For children, dental and vision benefits are included, and adults can add on dental coverage.

Read Also: How Do You File For Unemployment Online

Medicaid As Secondary Insurance

Can you use Medicaid as a secondary insurance? If you take your employers insurance or you have private coverage, you might still have trouble paying deductibles and co-pays. But qualified low-income families and individuals might be able to cover co-pays, deductibles, and insurance premiums by using Medicaid as a secondary insurance.

Just keep in mind that Medicaid is always the last resort payer if you have coverage through another agency. Secondary payers usually cover the smaller amount, like coinsurance or co-pay, while primary insurance covers the bigger costs.