The Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion program was offered to each state in the nation between the years of 2010 and 2012. The ACA Medicaid expansion sought to help millions of low-income Americans receive health benefits. Since the Obamacare Medicaid expansion was not mandatory, each state was asked to consider the expansion and make a decision. This left many people asking, “What is the expansion of Medicaid?” and “Will the expansion affect me?” The Obamacare Medicaid expansion details largely impact how the Medicaid program requirements are set up. If a state accepts the expansion, simpler Medicaid guidelines that only focus on income will join the old criteria. Most states that enact the ACA expansion will allow those with incomes less than a percent of the federal poverty line to enroll for medical benefits. To know what is the Obamacare Medicaid expansion and if you can submit a Georgia Affordable Care Act Medicaid application, read the details below.

Learn About the ACA Medicaid Expansion in Georgia

While the Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion can help many people, the ACA Medicaid expansion cost to states can pose a financial problem to the states that implement it. Affordable Care Act Medicaid eligibility increases with enactment of expansion, causing more funds to provide health care coverage. The expansion does come with a large amount of financial support from the federal government but the state will still have to provide a portion of the budget that is required to run the program. In 2014, Georgia officials deliberating the benefits and disadvantages that could come with the Obamacare expansion plan for the state. The Georgia Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion program was not enacted because it is estimated that the program could cost the state of Georgia several billion dollars over the course of a decade. Washington D.C and 31 states have accepted the ACA Medicaid expansion.

Learn about the guidelines to enroll in Medicaid within our free comprehensive guide.

What does opting out of the Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion mean for Georgia?

Opting out of the Obamacare expansion of Medicaid means that the Medicaid guidelines for enrollment will not be changed. Currently, the Medicaid application looks at applicants’ income, family status, disability, immigration status and age. Only those who meet these Medicaid requirements existing can be eligible for benefits in Georgia. If you are currently enrolled in Medicaid, the ACA Medicaid expansion would not affect your benefits regardless if Georgia opted into the program.

Many hoped that the GA Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion would be approved. As such, Medicaid will not cover low-income adults younger than 65 years of age who do not have children. If the Obamacare expansion was implemented, these residents would be able to receive Medicaid benefits. The ACA Medicaid expansion would have consider only income rather than supplemental eligibility factors like age, pregnancy or disability. The expansion would have increased Affordable Care Act Medicaid eligibility and more residents in the state would have been able to enroll. However, the ACA Medicaid expansion cost will not affect Georgia’s budget since it was not approved.

Will Georgia ever expand its Medicaid program?

There is a small chance that any state that turned down the expansion of Medicaid could later decide to enact the program, but it does not seem likely that Georgia will do so. After denying the ACA Medicaid expansion plan, two separate laws were passed that make it much more difficult for the governor or any state official to advocate for expanding Medicaid. This was mainly done to protect Georgia from the Affordable Care Act expansion’s costs that could hurt the state financially in the long run.

Take note: If you do not have Medicaid eligibility and are denied Medicaid enrollment, you can still get medical benefits through a different program. The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and other types of Medicaid benefits programs can help those in need of affordable health coverage.

To find out about these healthcare options, download our complimentary guide.