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Learn About Requirements for Medicaid in Hawaii

Medicaid benefits eligibility in Hawaii determines who is qualified to receive medical assistance. Usually, potential applicants wonder, “What are the requirements for Medicaid?” because there are extensive restrictions for who is able to receive benefits. This is because Medicaid is a jointly-funded program by the state and federal governments, and applicants must be in financial need of assistance in order to apply. Additionally, petitioners ask, “What are the income requirements for Medicaid in HI?” since Medicaid has strict income limits in order to ensure only low-income households are receiving the program’s funding and services. It is important for applicants to understand who is eligible for Medicaid so they can complete an application to the best of their abilities and increase their chances of receiving the medical assistance they are seeking. To find out more about how to qualify for Medicaid, continue reading the sections below.

Who qualifies for Medicaid in Hawaii?

Medicaid eligibility requirements in Hawaii consist of basic requirements every applicant must meet regardless of specific familial and personal circumstances. These basic Medicaid requirements are established so the program can verify each applicant’s identity before granting him or her medical assistance. Additionally, each applicant must be able to provide supplemental documentation to confirm they meet these basic requirements. The standard HI Medicaid eligibility requirements every applicant must meet are as follows:

  • Applicants must meet the Medicaid eligibility income limits set by the federal government.
  • Applicants must be United States citizens.
  • Applicants must be residents of the state of Hawaii.
  • Applicants who are non-citizens must be a legal resident of the United States, including naturalized citizens, permanent residents and refugees.

Since Medicaid benefits eligibility in Hawaii has expanded under the Affordable Care Act, more low-income households are qualified to receive health care assistance. Before Medicaid expanded in 2013 in Hawaii, only adults with qualifying circumstances, such as a pregnancy or disability, who were classified as low-income were eligible for Medicaid benefits. After the HI Medicaid eligibility expansion, adults between 19 and 65 years of age can qualify for medical assistance regardless of familial and personal circumstances as long as they meet the previously listed standard requirements. Additionally, Medicaid eligibility requirements cover children, pregnant woman and caretaker relatives. Senior citizens older than 65 years of age and adults with disabilities are also able to qualify for assistance. Applicants who are unsure of whether or not they qualify for Medicaid are still encouraged to apply so the state can determine their eligibility for them. If a petitioner is ineligible for Medicaid benefits, he or she may be qualified for another program to which their application can be redirected.

What are the income requirements for Medicaid in Hawaii?

The income requirements for Medicaid in Hawaii are based upon the federal guidelines provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is important applicants understand that the Medicaid program is specially designed for low-income individuals and households; therefore, each applicant must meet income requirements based on the federal poverty level to qualify for medical assistance. To meet Medicaid eligibility requirements, adults between 19 and 65 years of age who are not pregnant and do not suffer from a disability must fall at 100 percent below the federal poverty level. This percentage increases for children younger than 19 years of age and pregnant women. Additionally, the HI Medicaid income requirement for each household varies by the number of household members. For instance, a household with three members needs can make more than a household of two members and still qualify for benefits. To learn more about income limits for Medicaid, download our free guide today.

What are the Medicaid application guidelines in Hawaii?

Medicaid application guidelines in Hawaii require each applicant to provide adequate confirmation that he or she meets all the eligibility requirements to qualify for Medicaid. Applicants will need to provide a Social Security Number and birth date and may possibly need to send supporting documents for this information such as a birth certificate and Social Security Card. When determining who is eligible for Medicaid, the state needs supplemental documentation to verify each petitioner’s qualifications. For example, an applicant may need to provide proof of income to verify his or her low-income status. If a petitioner is a non-citizen looking to qualify for Medicaid in HI, he or she needs to provide extensive proof of legal residency such as a resident card or possibly an alien registration number. In addition to these Medicaid application guidelines, there are many more steps and information involved in applying for Medicaid in Hawaii. To learn more about Medicaid application guidelines, download our free guide.

What are Medicaid disqualifications in Hawaii?

It is important for applicants to understand Hawaii Medicaid eligibility requirements before applying for medical assistance to prevent disqualification from the program. Usually, petitioners are disqualified from receiving benefits because they fall above the federal income limit. Additionally, applicants are considered ineligible for Medicaid benefits if they cannot provide documented proof of their income and residency status. As long as an applicant is able to prepare this information before beginning the application, then he or she can determine exactly what HI Medicaid eligibility requirements they do and do not have.