The Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion in New York occurred in 2014, when the program was also implemented by other states in the U.S. While some states opted out of the ACA Medicaid expansion program, 31 states and Washington D.C. have decided to opt into the program. Most applicants wonder, “What is the expansion of Medicaid and how does it affect applicants?” The expansion, also known as the Obamacare Medicaid expansion, ultimately broadened the program’s income limits in order to include more applicants for Medicaid eligibility. The Obamacare Medicaid expansion details were provided to all states in the U.S., in order to give them the opportunity to participate. In the states that opted to participate in the ACA expansion of Medicaid, many established applicants wondered how their benefits would be affected. However, beneficiaries who were already qualified for Medicaid benefits were not affected by the expansion. The Affordable Care Act expansion of Medicaid made sure that any household with an income below 138 percent of the federal poverty level became eligible for affordable medical benefits. This new Affordable Care Act Medicaid eligibility requirement expanded the qualifications for millions of additional Americans to receive necessary medical services and treatments covered by the government. Those wondering, “What is the Obamacare Medicaid expansion in NY and what does it mean for new applicants?” can continue reviewing the sections below.

Learn About the ACA Medicaid Expansion in New York

The Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion in New York was able to be enacted due to budgetary allowances. NY ACA expansion for Medicaid was possible simply because of the room within the budget, plus the federal provisions provided. New York accepted the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion provisions to use funding from federal resources to aid in expanding. If New York did not have the budget, then the Affordable Care Act expansion for Medicaid never would have been able to take place. The ACA Medicaid expansion cost to states is covered by the federal government at first, but eventually, states are required to contribute to help fund the expansion. The states that believed they could not afford to participate in the ACA Medicaid expansion ultimately were the ones that decided to opt out, since the expansion led to more applicants qualifying for Medicaid benefits.

What does opting into the Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion mean for New York?

Since New York opted in for the Affordable Care Act Medicaid eligibility expansion, the increase of the number of applicants covered for Medicaid benefits rose by over 750,000 petitioners with a 32 percent reduction of the uninsured from 2013 to 2015. The expansion of Medicaid in New York means that eligibility rules have expanded to cover petitioners with household incomes up to 138 percent of the poverty level. Before, adults between 19 and 64 years of age without dependents could not qualify for Medicaid based on income alone. The NY Medicaid expansion details helped to cover more of these adults, rather than just parents, children, the elderly, pregnant women or eligible disabled petitioners. New applicants can fill out the Affordable Care Act Medicaid application and receive benefits as long as they meet the new requirements established under the expansion.

However, the Obamacare Medicaid expansion in NY does not impact the eligibility of the other traditional Medicaid groups. Qualified pregnant women and infants, the elderly, people with disabilities and children will have their own income guidelines and program requirements that allow them to receive benefits even if they have a higher income. Furthermore, children who do not meet Medicaid Affordable Care Act eligibility requirements may qualify for a separate Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which provides coverage for children with household incomes up to 400 percent of the federal poverty level. You can download our comprehensive guide today to learn more about how the Affordable Care Act impacted Medicaid.

What happens if the ACA Medicaid Expansion is repealed in New York?

If there is a repeal of the Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion, some New York Medicaid beneficiaries may be at risk of losing their Medicaid coverage, especially if the program is not replaced with something of equal benefit. Ultimately, if the repeal occurs, then NY Affordable Care Act Medicaid eligibility will be reduced, and the income thresholds for eligibility would revert back to pre-ACA Medicaid expansion numbers. All applicants, both established and new, can stay aware of the Medicaid ACA expansion details in order to be prepared for what may come.