Medicaid is a state-administered program which provides health insurance benefits to qualified individuals. These programs receive federal and state funding. Within broad national guidelines established by the federal government, each state is allowed to set its own eligibility, coverage, and payment guidelines.

There are many pathways to Medicaid eligibility. Individuals with low income and families who fit into an eligibility group determined by federal and state law may be eligible for Medicaid coverage. These groups include pregnant women, children, individuals over the age of 65, disabled individuals, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) recipients and other special groups. Other individuals with low income may qualify for different types of Medicaid based on eligibility for Medicare. The table below lists the eligibility criteria for some of the different types of Medicaid.

Medicaid Pathway	2009 Income Criteria1 (Individual/Couple)	2009 Asset Criteria2 (Individual/Couple)	Insurance Criteria
Traditional Medicaid (full benefits)	Vary by state and eligibility category		No criteria
Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB)	$10,830/ $14,570	$4,000/ $6,000	Entitled to Medicare Part A
Specified Low-Income Beneficiary (SLMB)	$12,996/ $17,484	$4,000/ $6,000	Entitled to Medicare Part A
Qualifying Individual (QI)	$14,620.50/ $19,669.50	$4,000/ $6,000	Entitled to Medicare Part A
Qualified Disabled and Working Individual (QDWI)	$21,660/ $29,140	$4,000/ $6,000	Lost Medicare Part A benefits due to return to work, but eligible to enroll in and purchase Medicare Part A

1. Federal Register, VOL. 74, No. 14, Friday, January 23, 2009. Department of Health and Human Services. "Annual Update of the HHS Poverty Guidelines." Pages 4199-4201.

2. http://www.cms.hhs.gov/DualEligible/02_DualEligibleCategories.asp