Content Overview 
- Summary
- What To Take With You When Applying For Medicaid
- How To Prepare Before Applying For Medicaid
- Where To Apply For Medicaid
- Best Days And Times To Apply For Medicaid
- How To Prepare For The Interview When Applying For Medicaid
- At The Interview When Applying For Medicaid
- The Medical Review
- The Consultative Exam (Examination By A Doctor)
Medicaid: How To Apply For
At The Interview When Applying For Medicaid
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The information requested by all Medicaid offices is similar. If you review the section above What to Take With You To Apply for Medicaid>, you will be prepared for the kinds of questions that will come up during the interview.
As you answer questions, keep in mind the income and asset requirements in your state. It will help you respond correctly.
In general, the Medicaid interviewer will request information about:
- Who you are.
- Your living arrangements (where you live, with whom, whether you own or rent and how much it costs).
- Your income: what it is and where it comes from.
- Your resources or assets.
- For people who are qualifying because of a disability, details about your medical condition. This will be, at the very least, a list of all your doctors including mailing address and phone number. The Representative will probably ask you to sign several copies of a medical release form giving Medicaid the right to acquire your medical records from the various doctors and other health care providers listed in your form.
Information for you to bring up:
- If you want Medicaid coverage backdated to cover unpaid medical bills, be sure to tell the Representative during the interview - and supply copies of the bills.
- If you are dealing with a stage of a health condition that could be described as terminal, call that to the representative's attention. Some states handle such claims on a fast track.
- If you need immediate care, speak up. Services can be started prior to approval by Medicaid.
Actions for you to take in the meeting:
- Get a written receipt for all documents and forms you leave with Medicaid. This will fix the date of your application in writing and confirm what original documents, such as a birth certificate, Medicaid is keeping. You should get the originals of such documents back if possible. Medicaid representatives will usually photocopy the documents or scan them into the computer after checking them so you don't have to leave the originals.
- Find out whom you should call with questions and more information - and get his or her direct phone number and email address. Usually the person for you to call to follow-up will be the worker that you meet with. However, sometimes, especially if you are a walk-in applicant, the person interviewing you will pass your file to another worker who will actually handle the processing.
- Make a list of any additional information or documents you are asked to provide. Before you leave the meeting, show your list to the Representativer to make sure the list you made is complete and accurate. If you suggest that the worker make a copy of the list for his or her files, there will be documentation in the file about what you are expected to do.
NOTE: If you live in a state in which Medicaid pays the premium for a private health insurance policy, our Health Plan Evaluator will help decide which of several policies is best for you, including from the perspective of a person with your health condition.