Georgia Medicaid provides health insurance to more than one million residents who cannot afford private health insurance and do not receive health insurance through their employer. When seeking information about Medicaid, most potential beneficiaries learn that Medicaid is a jointly funded state-federal program that provides health care assistance to low-income households throughout the nation. When applicants ask, “What is Medicaid in Georgia?” their goal is learn more about the program. This includes what Medicaid is, how recipients qualify for its benefits and what the application process is like.

Information about Medicaid begins with understanding the components of the program. Medicaid in GA consists of Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids. Traditional Medicaid coverage is distributed to adults and families, while PeachCare for Kids covers children outside of the Medicaid program. Households that qualify for traditional Georgia Medicaid have to meet various eligibility requirements, which consist of income limits and citizenship restrictions. Additional eligibility criteria for Medicaid in GA is limited to specific groups of people, as the state did not expand its Medicaid coverage after the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was passed in 2012. Regardless of whether or not an interested petitioner falls into one of these categories, it is important he or she learns how Medicaid coverage was affected by the ACA, thus learning how it directly impacts Medicaid beneficiaries.

Once Medicaid applicants have learned who qualifies for benefits, they should take a look at the different services Medicaid provides. This way, applicants can determine if Medicaid services will satisfy all of their health care needs or if they need to look for additional assistance. For the most part, Medicaid covers all of its recipients’ primary care needs along with numerous forms of specialized care. After prospective Georgia Medicaid applicants have determined they are qualified and that the program will cover their needs, they should familiarize themselves with the application process. The Medicaid application process consists of preparing information and documentation about the members of your household and your household’s income. Once you compile the information, you can submit your application for processing.

Learn more about Medicaid requirements and how to apply by downloading our free guide.