Low-income residents of Kentucky may qualify for Medicaid assistance.
Residents of Kentucky who meet the state's income and resource requirements may qualify for Medicaid benefits. There are general requirements in the state for qualification, and there are also programs for those in special circumstances which have separate eligibility requirements. In all cases, providing proof of citizenship, a social security number, and documentation of income and resources will help speed up the application process.
Basic Qualifications
Individuals and families seeking Medicaid in Kentucky cannot have earnings above the specific income limits set by the state. The limits increase with family size, and, for eligibility purposes, a pregnant woman is counted as two family members. Resources, such as checking and savings accounts and investments, must also fall below a set limit for all applicants except pregnant women and children. You may qualify for assistance in Kentucky if you meet the income and resource requirements and you are a pregnant women, the single parent of a dependent child and you are unable to work, or if you are one of two parents of a dependent child and the primary wage earner in the family is unemployed. Children under the age of 19 whose parent or parents meet the income requirements may also qualify.
Spenddown Program
If you or your family do not meet the state's income and resource requirements for Medicaid eligibility, Kentucky has a program that may enable you to qualify a different way. If your medical expenses are high, you may be able to get assistance paying for your medical costs through the spenddown program. The state will evaluate your income and your medical costs every three months to determine your eligibility for this program.
Nursing Facility Services
Anyone living in a Medicaid-participating nursing facility in Kentucky may be eligible for Medicaid depending on age, medical condition, income and resources. You must be in a Medicaid-certified bed within the facility and must require a certain level of care by qualified healthcare professionals to be considered for eligibility under the Nursing Facility Services program. If your health is poor enough that you would need to be admitted to a nursing facility without home care and your income is low enough, you may be eligible for a Medicaid waiver that will cover the cost of care in your home.
Presumptive Eligibility
Pregnant women whose eligibility for Medicaid has not yet been determined may be eligible for prenatal care under Kentucky's Presumptive Eligibility (PE) program. For a period of up to 90 days, while the state is processing the Medicaid application, this program pays participating providers and pharmacies who provide prenatal care and services.
Medicare Savings Program
The Medicare Saving Program provides assistance with health and drug costs for senior citizens in Kentucky who are receiving Medicare benefits. To be eligible for this program, you must have Medicare Part A and you must fall within the designated income and resource limits for the program.
KCHIP
Assistance for children in Kentucky is provided under the Kentucky Children's Health Insurance Program (KCHIP). The program covers children under the age of 19 in families who fall under the state designated income requirement.
