Helping Medicaid Patients with Citizenship and Identity Eligibility Requirements
Individuals declaring to be citizens or nationals of the United States seeking coverage under Medicaid must provide satisfactory documentary evidence of citizenship or nationality and identity, under the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005.
What MA providers need to know
Here's what you need to know if you apply for Medicaid coverage on behalf of or assist individuals applying for Medicaid in completing MA applications:
- You must include photocopies of the documents described in the US Citizenship and Identity Desk Guide as proof of citizenship and identity when submitting MA applications. Contact the local County Assistance Office (CAO) if you have questions about the guide.
- If the applicant or recipient cannot produce the necessary documents, you should work with the patient to gather the information requested on the Citizenship and Identify Information Form and submit a copy of the completed form with the application for MA to the CAO.
The citizenship and identity requirements do not apply to:
- Pregnant women determined to be presumptively eligible for Medicaid
- Individuals applying for or receiving General Assistance (GA) cash benefits, and GA related categories of Medical Assistance
- Individuals eligible for Supplemental Security Income benefits either currently or in the past
- Individuals eligible for or receiving Medicare Part A or Part B
- Individuals applying for or receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families cash benefits
Documentary evidence of citizenship or nationality and identity
The following documents satisfy the requirements for evidence of US citizenship or nationality and identity:
|
Citizenship and Identity |
Citizenship only |
Identity only |
- US passport
- Certificate of Naturalization (Form N-550 or N-570)
- Certificate of US Citizenship (Form N-560 or N-561)
|
- Birth certificate from the US
- Report or Certification of birth abroad of a US Citizen (Form FS-545, FS-240, or DS-1350)
- US Citizen identification card (DHS form I-197)
- Adoption papers
- Military records showing US place of birth
|
- Valid state driver's license or other state ID document bearing the individual's picture
- Federal, State or local government ID card
- School ID card bearing the individual's picture
- US Military ID card, draft record, or discharge papers
|
Resources for MA providers
From the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare:
Resources for Medicaid patients without proper documentation
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Last Updated: 8/1/2008