Medicaid is a state and federal program that provides health coverage based on eligibility factors such as income, age, pregnancy or disability. Medicare is federal health insurance generally available to people age 65 or older and certain younger people with disabilities. Some people receive both. Medicaid programs may also help eligible Medicare recipients with certain Medicare costs.

Yes. Ohio Benefits and the statewide assistance line allow residents to apply for Medicaid separately.

The information required depends on your household and the type of Medicaid requested. You may be asked for proof of citizenship/non-citizen status, income, assets, identity, household members, pregnancy, disability, other insurance or medical expenses, etc.

Sign in to the Ohio Benefits Self-Service Portal to view your case, check pending verifications, upload documents and review your application status.

• Apply for Medicaid

Medicaid recipients must complete the renewal process when notified. Keep your address and contact information current and respond promptly to requests for information.

Eligible Summit County residents may qualify for non-emergency transportation to Medicaid-covered appointments. Requests should generally be made at least five days in advance.

You will receive a notice explaining the decision and your right to request a state hearing. Include a link to the County’s common state-hearing or appeals page rather than duplicating the complete process here.

Long-term care Medicaid may help eligible individuals receive care in a nursing facility or assisted living facility or through Home- and Community-Based Waiver Services that support individuals living in their homes or communities.

A case manager will review your application. If additional information is needed, you will receive a checklist identifying the documents you must provide and where to submit them. The checklist is generally due within 10 days of the mailing date.

You may be asked to verify income, bank accounts, life insurance, stocks, bonds, trusts, annuities, retirement accounts, property, vehicles and other financial resources.

A patient liability is the monthly amount you may be required to contribute toward your long-term care services. It is generally calculated by subtracting allowable expenses and a Personal Needs Allowance from your gross monthly income.

Payments are typically made to your nursing or assisted living facility, Managed Care Plan or waiver provider, depending on the services you receive.

If you already receive Medicaid, you generally do not need to submit a new Medicaid application. Contact the Long-Term Care team to request a waiver referral. An assessment agency will then contact you to evaluate your needs, and a case manager will request any additional information required to process the request.

If you are legally married, income and possibly resource information may be required from both spouses. Documentation of a legal separation or divorce must be provided when applicable. Contact the Long-Term Care team as soon as possible if you are unable to obtain information from your spouse.

A Qualified Income Trust, or QIT, is a special trust used when an applicant’s income exceeds the Medicaid Special Income Limit. Income is deposited into the trust each month so it may be excluded when determining eligibility.

QITs may be established through many financial institutions. Contact the Long-Term Care team or the Ohio Medicaid Consumer Hotline for additional information.

Certain resources may be spent on allowable expenses, such as past-due medical bills, personal items or items needed for a nursing or assisted living facility room.

Money generally cannot be gifted, donated or improperly transferred in order to qualify for Medicaid. Contact the Long-Term Care team before transferring or spending significant resources.

Medicaid Estate Recovery is administered by the Medicaid Estate Recovery Unit of the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. The program may seek repayment from the estates of certain deceased Medicaid recipients for covered services they received. Questions should be directed to the Ohio Medicaid Consumer Hotline or the Ohio Attorney General’s Medicaid Estate Recovery Unit.