Medicaid is available in Kentucky to low-income individuals.
Kentucky's Medicaid program is run through the Cabinet Department for Health and Family Services. It provides medical coverage to individuals based on income levels. Several variables, including pregnancy and number of children in a family, affect eligibility. A full determination of eligibility includes an application process and providing proof about an individual's financial status to receive Medicaid coverage.
Dependent Children
Individuals or families will be eligible for Medicaid in Kentucky, according to the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, if the individual is a pregnant woman; a dependent child younger than 19; a parent of a dependent child if one parent has left the home, is unable to work (because of sickness or disability), or has died; or if both parents are living with the dependent child and the parents are unemployed or underemployed.
Eligibility Guidelines
If a parent is younger than 21, the income and resources of the parent's parents will be evaluated to see if the parent 21 is eligible for Medicaid. Eligibility is based on family size; pregnant women receive an additional family member for each unborn child they are carrying.
Income Requirements
For individuals (stated as a family size of one), the maximum monthly income to be eligible for Medicaid is $217 with $742 in gross income (gross income include checking and savings accounts, cash, stocks, and bonds). The amount increases per person in the family with a family of four having a $383 monthly income cap and $1,096 in gross income. A full scale for every family size can be found in References below for the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
Pregnant Women
Resources are not considered when determining whether a pregnant woman is eligible for Medicaid in Kentucky. The limit is 185 percent of the federal poverty level ($1,670 for a family of one, $3,400 for a family of four). These limits change annually based on the Federal Poverty Levels, so these numbers will fluctuate from year to year. Pregnant women might have presumptive eligibility that would provide prenatal care until a full Medicaid evaluation can be made.
Application Requirements
A number of documents are required to apply for Medicaid in Kentucky. An applicant must have a Social Security number, proof of identity, proof of citizenship, proof of residency, health insurance, proof of pregnancy if applicable (a statement from a doctor verifying the pregnancy), and proof of resources (last three months of bank statements and any other applicable financial records).
