Health Insurance For Low Income
Michigan’s Department of Health and Human Services administers the Michigan Medicaid and Healthy Michigan Plan programs. Through these services, healthcare coverage and services are provided to low income families, children, and adults.
When faced with the options to expand Medicaid, Michigan opted to implement an alternative approach in 2014. The Healthy Michigan Plan has exceed expectations in enrollment since its inception.
Michigan Medicaid Plan Options
The following coverage options are available under Michigan Medicaid:
Children U-19
U-19 is a Medicaid healthcare program for low-income children under age 19 that meets the income requirements.
MIChild
MIChild is a health insurance program for children under 19 administered by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. It is for low income, uninsured children of working families. There is a $10 per family monthly premium for MIChild. This plan is also commonly referred to as CHIP.
Under 21
Medicaid is available to eligible persons under age 21 based on income. If the individual exceeds the income limit, a deductible would be assigned.
Special Disabled Children
Medicaid benefits will be provided to children who received SSI benefits as long as the child meets current SSI income standards and the definition of childhood disability is in effect before the 1996 revised disability definition.
Group 1 Pregnant Women
Medicaid provides services to eligible women while pregnant, including the month the pregnancy ends as well as the following two months, regardless of the reason (for example: live birth, miscarriage).
Group 2 Pregnant Women
This program is for women that do not qualify for Group 1 because of income. The same coverage would be offered, but a deductible would be assigned.
Caretaker Relatives
Medicaid is available to eligible parents or caretakers with a dependent child. Qualified beneficiaries receive a comprehensive package of healthcare benefits including vision, dental, and mental health services.
Aged, Blind, Disabled (ABD Care)
Medicaid is available to persons who are aged, blind, or disabled based on income limits. If the income is over the limit, persons may incur medical expenses that equal or exceed the deductible and still qualify for this program.
Additional Programs Available
Other programs available outside of Michigan Medicaid:
Maternity Outpatient Medical Services (MOMS)
Maternity Outpatient Medical Services (MOMS) is a health coverage program administered by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. The MOMS program provides health coverage for pregnant or recently pregnant women who are eligible for Emergency Services Only (ESO) Medicaid.
Healthy Michigan Plan
The Healthy Michigan Plan provides comprehensive healthcare coverage for individuals that are 19-64 years of age, have income at or below 133% of the Federal Poverty Level and do not qualify for Medicare or Medicaid.
MIChoice
The MIChoice waiver provides home and community based healthcare services for aged and disabled persons. The program's goal is to allow persons to remain at home to receive health services. If they did not receive such services, these persons would require nursing home care. The cost of home care must be less than the cost of care in a nursing home. In addition, the waiver may provide other benefits to help the person remain at home.
Children's Special Health Care Services (CSHCS)
Children's Special Health Care Services is a program that provides certain approved medical service coverage to children and adults with special healthcare needs. Children must have a qualifying medical condition and be under 21 years of age.
Services for Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers
This program works with a number of organizations to provide services for Michigan’s migrant and seasonal farmworkers, such as public benefits and healthcare coordination that meets the cultural needs of migrant workers.
Medicare Costing Savings programs
The purpose of Medicare Costing Savings programs is to assist individuals by paying their Medicare premiums and by making payments to medical providers for coinsurance and deductibles for Medicare services.
The Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program pays for Medicare Part B premiums, coinsurance, and deductibles for those eligible and enrolled in Medicare Part A.
The Specified Low Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) program provides payment of Medicare Part B premiums only for individuals who would be eligible for the QMB program except for excess income.
The Qualified Individual (QI-1) program provides payment of Medicare Part B premiums only for individuals who would be eligible for the SLMB program except for excess income.
The Qualified Disabled Working Individual (QDWI) program provides payment of Medicare Part A premiums only for individuals meeting income limits.
Home and Community-Based Services Program Transition
Michigan Medicaid Long Term Services and Supports provides opportunities for children, older adults or the disabled to continue participating in their community activities. Services range depending on the situation, but the goal is to improve the qualify of life for the entire family.
Michigan Medicaid FAQs
- What is Medicaid?
Medicaid is a state funded insurance that that provides coverage to low income families, pregnant women, newborns, and children that may not be able to afford to purchase their own care.
- Who is eligible for Medicaid?
The following groups are eligible for Michigan Medicaid:
- Children 0 - 12 months with a household income less than 195% of the Federal Poverty Limit;
- Children 1 - 18 years with a household income less than 160% of the Federal Poverty Limit;
- Children 1 - 18 years with a household income between 160% - 212% of the Federal Poverty Limit qualify for MICHILD;
- Pregnant women with a household income less than 195% of the Federal Poverty Limit;
- Adults with an income less than 133% of the Federal Poverty Limit.
- How do I find out if I am eligible for Medicaid?
To find out if you are eligible for Medicaid, you must fill out an application for Medicaid or CHIP. You may fill out an application at any time of the year. See more on Medicaid.
- Will Medicaid cover my children?
Your household income level will determine if your child or children can be covered by Medicaid.
- What is CHIP?
CHIP is a program that supports children in families that cannot afford private health insurance, but whose household income is too high to qualify for Medicaid.
- Can I use Medicaid to satisfy the health insurance requirement?
Yes, Medicaid will satisfy the health insurance requirement for the covered individuals.
- What information and documents should I have when I'm signing up for Medicaid?
Depending on the Medicaid Part you are applying for you may need the following: identification documentation, Social Security documentation, proof you live in Michigan, proof of income, proof of medical costs, and bank account information.
- What is MICHILD?
MIChild is a health insurance program administered by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services for children who are under age 19. It is for low income uninsured children of working families. There is a $10 per family monthly premium for MIChild. The $10 monthly premium is for all of the children in one family. This is the program that provides the majority of the coverage for Michigan children that qualify for Medicaid.
- How does Obamacare work with Medicaid?
Because of Michigan’s Medicaid eligibility requirements, Obamacare does not impact people who qualify for Medicaid and vice versa. As such, tax credits are only available for people who are not eligible for other plans.
Sources:
