After the Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion, also known as the ACA Medicaid expansion or the Obamacare Medicaid expansion, was announced in the early 2010s. Many were left asking, “What is the expansion of Medicaid and how does it affect my state?” The ACA Medicaid expansion was offered to all 50 states and Washington, D.C. in an effort to help more low-income Americans have access to affordable health insurance. The expansion of Medicaid is optional, leaving the decision to be part of the expansion to state lawmakers. The Obamacare Medicaid expansion details will affect health care in a few ways, with its largest impact on eligibility requirements. The Affordable Care Act Medicaid eligibility criteria looks at income alone as the determining factor for program enrollment. This means that in most states, those who earn up to 133 percent of the federal poverty level will be able to receive Medicaid benefits. Before the expansion, the program required applicants to also qualify based on age, disability, family composition and other criteria. If you are asking yourself “What is the Obamacare Medicaid expansion in Connecticut and will it affect me?” read the rest of the page below.

Learn About the ACA Medicaid Expansion in Connecticut

Presently, the ACA expansion of Medicaid has been accepted by 31 states and Washington, D.C. Connecticut is not only one of these states that accepted the Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion, but it was also the first state to accept the expansion. While the Affordable Care Act expansion of Medicaid in Connecticut took effect quickly, it was not a simple decision for Connecticut lawmakers. Even though the expansion plan comes with federal funds, each state that accepts the expansion will eventually have to pay for a part of the program. The ACA Medicaid expansion cost to states is one of the most common reasons why many officials across the country have turned down the expansion plan for their state. However, officials from Connecticut saw that the benefits of the program were worth the cost to the state.

What does choosing the Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion mean for Connecticut?

The Connecticut Obamacare Medicaid expansion may seem complex, but the major changes that have been made to the Medicaid program involve enrollment qualifications. Eligibility for the Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion in CT will now solely rely on income for some applicants. Connecticut adopted the standard ACA Medicaid eligibility income requirements, which admit childless adults between 19 and 64 years of age who earn up to 133 percent of the federal poverty level. Before the expansion, Connecticut’s state guidelines would accept childless adults only if they earned up to 56 percent of the federal poverty level.

These changes made by the Connecticut Obamacare expansion of Medicaid will help more residents who are in need of medical assistance to get the benefits they need. This especially helps adults without children, as they would have a hard time meeting eligibility guidelines for Medicaid before the expansion was enacted. The CT Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion has since helped more state residents to gain medical benefits and cut the uninsured rate by about 46 percent. The expansion of Medicaid also allows children who were in the foster care system to stay enrolled in Medicaid until they turn 26 years of age. To learn more about how the ACA Medicaid expansion changes Medicaid guidelines, you can download our comprehensive guide.

Will the ACA Medicaid expansion allow me to enroll in Medicaid?

A Connecticut Affordable Care Act Medicaid application can be submitted by anyone who lives in the state. Not all who apply will be accepted into the program. While the CT Obamacare Medicaid expansion mainly benefits adults, there are medical benefits options available to those who are minors, senior citizens or those who have a disability. If an applicant is denied health benefits from the Connecticut Medicaid program, he or she might still be able to receive medical assistance benefits in another way. Medical assistance programs that are not a part of the Medicaid program, such as the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), can be an option for those who do not meet Medicaid requirements. To learn about other health benefits options, download our complimentary guide today.