This toolkit has information about Medicaid (Medical Assistance, or MA) – who is eligible and how to apply.
For general information about Medicaid, read the Articles. Review the Common Questions if you have a specific question. If you want to request a hearing from MDHHS or learn more about the kind of denial or termination notice you received, use the Forms link for help preparing the forms you will need, as well as other helpful information.
You'll find links to legal aid offices and lawyer referral services under Find A Lawyer. If there is a Self-Help Center in your area you can get more help there. If you need something other than legal help, look in Community Services. If you need a fee waiver, an interpreter, a court to accommodate your disability, or more information about going to court, visit Going to Court.
Common Questions
Medicaid (also called Medical Assistance, or MA) is health insurance for people with low income. In Michigan, there is traditional Medicaid (TM) and the Healthy Michigan Plan (HMP). HMP started in 2014 as part of the Affordable Care Act. Once you are enrolled, TM and HMP work just like other health insurance.
To learn more, read An Overview of Medicaid.
In order to be eligible for Medicaid, you must meet certain requirements. Some requirements have to do with how much income you have. Others have to do with non-financial things like your citizenship and Michigan residence. You could also be eligible based on age, disability, or blindness. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) will review your application to decide if you are eligible.
To learn more, read An Overview of Medicaid.
When determining eligibility for certain Medicaid programs, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) will look at your household’s size and its Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI). MAGI is often the same amount as the Internal Revenue Service’s number for Adjusted Gross Income. MAGI is used to determine eligibility for tax credits for people who get their insurance through the insurance marketplace for the Healthy Michigan Plan. MDHHS also uses MAGI when determining eligibility for certain traditional Medicaid categories.
Some examples of groups of people MAGI applies to are:
- Childless adults between 19 and 64
- Pregnant women
- People who are parents or are a caretaker of a dependent child (caretaker relatives)
Some examples of groups of people that MAGI does not apply to are:
- People 65 or older, blind, or disabled
- People getting long-term care (LTC) services
- People eligible for or who get Medicare
If you have concerns about how your MAGI is being calculated, you can speak with someone at the Michigan Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP). MMAP is a free, state-wide counseling service designed to help people with questions about health care.
Your local legal services may also be able to help you. Use the Guide to Legal Help to find a legal services office near you. Even if they are not able to represent you, they could still offer you advice and other help.
Another place where you could find help is from a local Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). FQHCs are community-based health care providers that get funding from the Health Resources & Services Administration. They often have patient advocates who can help answer questions about Medicaid. Use the locator tool to find a FQHC near you.