I have Power of Attorney for my niece. Father is incarcerated, mother missing. How can I get medicaid for her?
Q) I have Power of Attorney for my niece, who is 22 months old. Her parents are not in her life anymore. Her father is incarcerated and her mom is missing due to extreme drug abuse. I do make a substantial amount of money, but am just needing health care for her, since that is costly. What will I need to do to just get the Medicaid card for health insurance for her?
A) If you have legal guardianship or power of attorney for your niece, you should be able to apply for Medicaid on her behalf. Here are some steps you can take to apply:
- Gather necessary documentation: You will need to provide proof of your niece’s identity, such as a birth certificate or passport. You may also need to provide documentation of your legal guardianship or power of attorney, such as court orders or legal documents.
- Determine eligibility: Medicaid eligibility is based on factors such as income, assets, and medical needs. You can use the Medicaid Eligibility and Enrollment Toolkit on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) website to determine if your niece is eligible.
- Apply for Medicaid: To apply for Medicaid, you can visit your state’s Medicaid website or call your state’s Medicaid agency. You will likely need to provide information about your niece’s income, assets, and medical needs.
- Follow up on the application: After submitting the application, it’s important to follow up with the Medicaid agency to ensure that it is processed in a timely manner. You may need to provide additional documentation or information if requested.
If you are having difficulty navigating the Medicaid application process or need assistance with the application, you can contact your state’s Medicaid agency or a local Medicaid enrollment broker for help. They can provide guidance on the specific requirements and application process for your state.
You may be able to get coverage through the Children’s Health Insurance Program. The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provides health coverage to eligible children, through both Medicaid and separate CHIP programs. CHIP is administered by states, according to federal requirements. The program is funded jointly by states and the federal government. Please call or visit your local Medicaid to apply for coverage. You may also be able to apply for coverage on your state benefits website.