How Do I Qualify for Medicaid in North Carolina

To qualify for Medicaid in North Carolina, you must meet certain eligibility requirements set by the state and federal government. These requirements include being a resident of North Carolina, being a U.S. citizen or qualified non-citizen, and meeting income and asset limits. Additionally, specific categories of individuals, such as pregnant women, children, people with disabilities, and elderly adults, may also qualify for Medicaid. You can apply for Medicaid online, by mail, or in person at your local Department of Social Services office. Once you have applied, your eligibility will be determined based on the information you provided. If you are approved for Medicaid, you will receive a Medicaid card that you can use to access healthcare services covered by the program.

Financial Eligibility Requirements for Medicaid in North Carolina

To qualify for Medicaid in North Carolina, you must meet the following financial eligibility requirements:

  • Income: Your monthly income must be at or below the Medicaid income limit. The income limit for a single person is $1,563 per month, and the income limit for a family of four is $3,267 per month. If you are pregnant, the income limit is higher.
  • Assets: Your countable assets must be less than $2,000 for a single person or $3,000 for a family of two. Countable assets include cash, bank accounts, stocks, and bonds. Certain assets are not considered countable assets, such as your home, car, and essential personal belongings.
  • Magi Category: You must meet one of the following Magi categories:

– Pregnant women
– Children under the age of 19
– Parents of children under the age of 19 (if the parent’s income meets the Medicaid income limit)
– Adults who are blind or disabled (if their income meets the Medicaid income limit)
– Adults who are 65 years of age or older (if their income meets the Medicaid income limit)

Family SizeIncome Limit
1$1,563
2$2,133
3$2,703
4$3,267
5$3,832
6$4,396
7$4,961
8$5,525

Note: The income and asset limits are subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, please visit the North Carolina Medicaid website or contact your local Medicaid office.

Residency Requirements

To qualify for Medicaid in North Carolina, you must be a resident of the state. Residency is determined by a number of factors, including place of birth, length of stay, and intent to remain in the state.

  • Place of birth: If you were born in North Carolina, you are automatically considered a resident.
  • Length of stay: If you have lived in North Carolina for at least 12 consecutive months, you are considered a resident.
  • Intent to remain in the state: You must intend to remain in North Carolina indefinitely in order to be considered a resident.

There are a few exceptions to these general residency requirements. For example, you may be eligible for Medicaid if you are a resident of another state but are receiving medical care in North Carolina.

You can find more information about Medicaid residency requirements on the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services website.

Income and Asset Limits

In addition to residency requirements, you must also meet certain income and asset limits to qualify for Medicaid in North Carolina. These limits vary depending on your age, family size, and disability status.

Income and Asset Limits for Medicaid in North Carolina
CategoryIncome LimitAsset Limit
Pregnant WomenUp to 200% of the federal poverty level$2,000
ChildrenUp to 138% of the federal poverty level$2,000
AdultsUp to 138% of the federal poverty level$2,000
Disabled AdultsUp to 100% of the federal poverty level$2,000
Nursing Home ResidentsUp to 300% of the federal poverty level$2,000

If you exceed the income and asset limits, you may still be eligible for Medicaid if you meet certain other criteria. For example, you may be eligible if you are a working family with high medical expenses or if you have a disability that prevents you from working.

You can find more information about Medicaid income and asset limits on the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services website.

Eligibility for Medicaid in North Carolina

To qualify for Medicaid in North Carolina, you must meet certain age, income, and disability requirements. You may also qualify if you are pregnant, a parent of a dependent child, or a caretaker of a dependent child.

Age and Disability Requirements

To qualify for Medicaid based on age or disability, you must meet the following requirements:

  • You must be a North Carolina resident.
  • You must be a U.S. citizen or a qualified non-citizen.
  • You must be 65 years of age or older, or
  • You must be blind or disabled, or
  • You must have a disability that is expected to last for at least 12 months.

If you meet these requirements, you may qualify for Medicaid benefits, including medical care, prescription drugs, and long-term care.

Income and Asset Limits

In addition to the age and disability requirements, you must also meet certain income and asset limits to qualify for Medicaid. The income limits vary depending on your household size and whether or not you are disabled. The asset limits are also different for individuals and couples.

The following table shows the income and asset limits for Medicaid in North Carolina:

Household SizeIncome LimitAsset Limit (Individual)Asset Limit (Couple)
1$1,633$2,000$3,000
2$2,187$3,000$4,500
3$2,741$4,000$6,000
4$3,295$5,000$7,500
Each additional person$554$1,000$1,500

If your income and assets are below these limits, you may qualify for Medicaid benefits. You can apply for Medicaid online, by mail, or in person at your local Medicaid office.

U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Permanent Resident Status

To be eligible for Medicaid in North Carolina, you must be a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident. This means you must have a green card or other documentation that shows you are legally allowed to live in the United States.

  • U.S. Citizens: You must provide proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a birth certificate, passport, or naturalization certificate.
  • Lawful Permanent Residents: You must provide proof of lawful permanent resident status, such as a green card or a Form I-551 stamp in your passport.

There are some exceptions to the citizenship/lawful permanent resident requirement. For example, certain non-citizens may be eligible for Medicaid if they meet other eligibility criteria, such as being pregnant, disabled, or a child.

Income LimitsMedicaid Coverage
0% of the federal poverty level (FPL)Full Medicaid coverage
138% of the FPLPartial Medicaid coverage
100-138% of the FPLMedicaid expansion coverage

Note: The income limits for Medicaid eligibility change each year. For the most up-to-date information, please visit the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services website.

Cheers for sticking with me to the very end, pal! I know, I know, this whole Medicaid thing can be quite the brain-twister. But hey, at least now you have a roadmap to navigate the qualification process. Feel free to revisit this guide anytime you have questions or need a refresher. And if you’re craving more informative reads, feel free to browse through our treasure trove of articles. Stay tuned for fresh content that’ll keep you in the know. Until next time, keep your head up, stay informed, and take care!