Long-term care planning is something that all Kansas City residents should think about. It benefits not only the individual who will one day be in need of care, but also the families of these individuals who want to see that their loved one’s health and finances are taken care of in their old age. For some people, their long-term care plans include applying for Medicaid. When a person in Kansas City applies for Medicaid, certain requirements must be met. While the exact requirements vary by state, there are some general requirements that must be met in order for a person to be eligible to seek Medicaid.
For example, there are age requirements for Medicaid eligibility. In general, a person must be age 65 or older to be eligible to seek Medicaid. There are some exceptions to this age requirement, however.
A person who is permanently disabled, as defined by the Social Security Administration, may be able to seek Medicaid. In addition, pregnant women may be able to seek Medicaid. Individuals who are blind may also seek Medicaid. And, under some circumstances, children or their parents may seek Medicaid.
There may be other requirements as well for those who are seeking Medicaid. In general, applicants must either be citizens of the United States or fall under certain immigration requirements. In addition, applicants may need to reside in the state in which they are seeking Medicaid. They also need to have a Social Security number.
In addition to these general requirements, there are also financial requirements that must be met for Medicaid eligibility. These financial requirements vary by state, and in general include a maximum allowed income and certain asset requirements.
Medicaid planning can be an important part of an individual’s long-term care planning. For anyone who has questions about the requirements for Medicaid eligibility, getting more information can be a good first step in the planning process.
Source: LongTermCare.gov, “General Medicaid Requirements,” Accessed Dec. 7, 2015