The ACA Health Insurance Marketplace is the most popular destination for applying for Medicaid. This online insurance platform offers other types of health insurance plans, but the data you provide can help you determine if you might qualify for this federal health insurance plan. 

If you meet Medicaid qualifications, the Marketplace will send your information to your state Medicaid agency. Then, that agency can contact you about enrollment. If you don’t qualify for Medicaid, you may have the option to sign up for health insurance through one of the marketplace insurance plans listed on the health exchange.

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Don’t Wait for Open Enrollment: Learn How to Apply for Medicaid & Get Covered

Sometimes, other health insurance plans on the health Marketplace may also offer affordable coverage. So, if you don’t qualify for Medicaid, but your income meets certain levels, you might qualify for cost sharing reductions that can help you pay your health exchange plan’s premiums.

Some insurance plans on the Healthcare Marketplace only allow you to apply during the healthcare open enrollment period, which takes place at the end of the year. However, if you think that you may meet the income requirements for Medicaid, you can apply at the health marketplace any time throughout the year. If you are approved, your coverage can begin right away. 

Another way to apply for Medicaid is directly through your state’s Medicaid agency. Each state Medicaid agency has a different name, but you can use the Healthcare Marketplace to find contact information for your area.

As you complete the application, you’ll need to provide certain information about yourself and each family member living in your household who wants health insurance. The information helps determine whether you meet the Medicaid qualifications or if you might be able to get coverage from other plans.

As such, it is helpful to have the following information for all members of the household handy when you apply:

  • Social Security numbers 
  • Dates of birth
  • Income information, including pay stubs and W-2 forms
  • If you have current health coverage, policy or member numbers for that policy
  • Information about any employer-sponsored health coverage that is available to you or anyone in your household

After you finish applying for Medicaid, you might be asked to verify your information or provide additional documents in your application. Once you gather the requested documents, you can upload them to your account on the Marketplace or give them to your state Medicaid agency. It can take up to 45 days for your state Medicaid office to process your application.

By Admin