Below is a general guide to the Medicaid application process. Be sure to contact your local Medicaid office for state-specific rules.

Note: Your Medicaid office may be called the Department of Health, the Department of Social Services, the Department of Insurance, or by another name.

• Contact your local Medicaid office to ask how you need to submit your application. Some states require you apply in person, while others may allow you to apply by mail, online, by telephone, or at locations in the community, such as health centers and community organizations.
• Find out which documents and forms of identification you may need in order to apply. Your Medicaid office may ask you to show the following:
  • Proof of date of birth (e.g., birth certificate)
  • Proof U.S. citizenship or lawful residence (e.g., passport, drivers license, birth certificate, green card, employment authorization card)
  • Proof of all types of income, earned and unearned (e.g., paycheck stubs, retirement benefits, Supplemental Security Income)
  • Proof of resources (e.g., bank or stock statements, life insurance policies, property)
  • Proof of residence (e.g., rent receipt, landlord statement, deed)
  • Medicare card and any other insurance cards (you can also provide a copy of the insurance policy)

Note: Medicaid coverage is available, regardless of citizenship status, if you are pregnant or require treatment for an emergency medical condition. A doctor must certify that you are pregnant or had an emergency, and you must meet all other eligibility requirements.

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Get Help Applying for Medicare Cost-Savings Programs

If you live in New York, the Medicare Rights Center can help you enroll in various Medicare cost-savings programs. Please answer a few questions to see if we can connect you with a trained benefits enrollment counselor.

Do you live in New York? Select an optionYesNo

Great! Let's get the basics.

If your monthly income is below $2355 (or below $3189 if married) you may qualify for several Medicare cost-savings benefit programs. The following information will help us determine which programs you might be eligible for.

What is your marital status? * Please select your marital statusMarriedSingleMarried and living separatelyDivorcedWidowed

What is your average monthly income? * Please include the combined monthly household income of you and your spouse Income examples Common sources of countable income include; gross Social Security benefits, pension, VA benefits, employment income, IRA distributions, etc.

In addition to Medicare, do you have Medicaid? (Optional) Please select your Medicaid statusYesNo

Please provide your contact information so a trained benefits enrollment counselor can be in touch to discuss your eligibility and assist you with the application process

First Name*

Last Name*

Email Address* I would like to receive emails from the Medicare Rights Center.

Phone Number*

Zip* Error

City*

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Contact your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program

Each state offers a SHIP, partly funded by the federal government, to give you free counseling and assistance. A SHIP counselor may be available by phone or in person.

Visit www.shiptacenter.org to find your local SHIP office.

Find Your Local SHIP

Contact your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program

Based on the information you provided, you do not appear to be eligible for Medicare cost-saving programs.

Each state offers a State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), partly funded by the federal government, to give you free counseling and assistance. A SHIP counselor may be available by phone or in person.

Visit www.shiptacenter.org to find your local SHIP office.

Find Your Local SHIP

You are on your way!

A trained counselor from the Medicare Rights Center will be in touch soon to discuss your options.

Click here to learn more about the various Medicare cost-savings programs.

Would you like to create a free Medicare Interactive account? Learn about the benefits of creating an account and register today.

Troubleshooting

• If you have any problems applying at a Medicaid office, ask to speak with a supervisor.
• If you do not receive a timely decision on your Medicaid application or are turned down for Medicaid, you can appeal by asking for a state fair hearing (not a city or local one). Check with your Medicaid office to learn more about requesting a fair hearing.
• Once you have Medicaid, you must recertify (show that you remain eligible for Medicaid) to continue to get Medicaid coverage. When you submit your Medicaid application, be sure to ask when and how you will need to recertify. In many states, recertification is an annual process.