How to Apply for Medicaid in GA (Latest Eligibility Updates)
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Millions of people in Georgia are currently receiving Medicaid benefits. Are you assuming you don’t qualify for Medicaid? Or maybe you think the application process is too complicated. That kind of thinking could be costing you or your family thousands in healthcare benefits.
If you haven’t checked lately, it’s time to take another look. This guide shows you how to apply for Medicaid in GA and who qualifies in 2025.
Disclaimer: This guide is intended to help Airtalk Wireless customers better understand how to apply for Medicaid in Georgia. The following information is compiled from official government sources and may be subject to change. Airtalk Wireless does not represent or speak on behalf of Georgia Medicaid.
1. How do I Verify My Georgia Medicaid Eligibility in 2025?
In Georgia, Medicaid provides health coverage to individuals and households with limited income, but eligibility also depends on specific life circumstances. You may qualify for Medicaid in Georgia if you have a low income and meet at least one of the following conditions:
- You are pregnant (or think you may be pregnant)
- You are a child or a teenager
- You are 65 years of age or older
- You are legally blind
- You have a disability
- You need long-term care in a nursing home
Keep in mind that financial eligibility is based on income and, in some cases, resources.
To qualify for Medicaid in Georgia, your household income must fall below certain limits. The tables below show the income thresholds for various eligibility categories, including children, pregnant women, and medically needy individuals.
These income limits are based on the federal poverty level (FPL) and are updated periodically. Use this Georgia Medicaid eligibility income chart to determine whether your income may qualify you or your household for Medicaid coverage in 2025.
Annual Income Limits – Georgia Medicaid Programs (Effective 2025)
| Family Size | Medically Needy | RSM Child 6–19 (133% FPL) | RSM Child 1–5 (149% FPL) | RSM Child 0–1 (205% FPL) | RSM PG Women (220% FPL) | PCK ( 247% FPL) | P4HB (211% FPL) | WHM (200% FPL) |
| 1 | $2,496 | $20,820 | $23,328 | $32,100 | N/A | $38,676 | $33,036 | $31,320 |
| 2 | $3,804 | $28,128 | $31,512 | $43,368 | $46,536 | $46,536 | $52,248 | $42,312 |
| 3 | $4,500 | $35,424 | $39,684 | $54,612 | $58,608 | $58,608 | $65,796 | $53,280 |
| 4 | $5,304 | $42,756 | $47,892 | $65,892 | $70,716 | $70,716 | $79,404 | $64,296 |
For example, in 2025, if your household has 2 people and you’re pregnant, your annual income must be at or below $46,536 to qualify for Medicaid (RSM) for Pregnant Women.
Income Limits for Specialized Programs (Effective 2025)
| Category | Individual Annual Limit | Couple Annual Limit |
| SSI Payment Amount | $11,604 | $17,400 |
| NH/CCSP/Hospice | $34,812 | $69,624 |
| QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary) | $15,900 | $31,396 |
| SLMB (Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary) | $19,020 | $25,620 |
| QI-1 | $21,372 | $28,800 |
| QDWI (Qualified Disabled Working Individual) | $63,624 | $85,620 |
(Source: medicaid.georgia.gov)
- SSI (Supplemental Security Income): People who receive SSI (usually those who are aged, blind, or have a disability and limited income) automatically qualify for Medicaid.
- NH/CCSP/Hospice (Nursing Home Medicaid/Community Care Services Program/Hospice): These are for aged, blind, or disabled people needing long-term care, either in a facility or at home.
- QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary) helps people with Medicare Part A and a very low income. Medicaid pays their Medicare premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance, but not full medical services.
- SLMB (Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary) covers Medicare Part B premiums only for people with slightly higher income than QMB.
(Note: According to the KFF report, 25.6 million nonelderly people were still uninsured in 2022. Of these, 6% fell into the “coverage gap” in non-expansion states (including Georgia), earning too much for Medicaid but too little for Marketplace subsidies.
If Georgia expanded Medicaid, hundreds of thousands of additional uninsured adults would become eligible for coverage.)
>>> Read more: Can I have both Medicaid and Medicare at the same time?
2. How to Apply for Medicaid in GA
You can apply for Georgia Medicaid in one of four ways:
Apply Online
Visit www.gateway.ga.gov. Click “Apply for Benefits” and choose “Medical Assistance”. Follow the prompts to complete your Georgia Medicaid application.
Apply By Phone
Call 877-423-4746. You may be asked to submit supporting documents after your call.
Apply In Person
Visit your local Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) office and bring all required documents with you.
Apply By Mail
Call 877-423-4746 and ask for a paper application to be mailed. Complete the GA Medicaid application form and return it by mail to DFCS. You may then be contacted to provide additional information.
Prepare documents and information such as:
- Birth certificate or proof of identity and citizenship/immigration status
- Photo ID issued by a government agency
- A Social Security number for each person applying
- Recent paycheck stubs, W-2s, or payroll records (covering at least 4 weeks)
- Any letters or forms showing income (e.g., Social Security, retirement, unemployment)
- Health insurance cards or policy information
- Life insurance policies
- Recent bank statements
- Most recent tax return
- Details about assets you own (land, vehicles, stocks, etc.)
>>> Also read: Free iPhone Government Phone Georgia: How to Qualify & Apply
3. How to Check Your Georgia Medicaid Application and Eligibility Status
A Medicaid eligibility specialist will review your application and may contact you for more information or an interview. You’ll receive a decision by mail within 45 days (or up to 60 days if a disability determination is required).
If approved, your Medicaid card will arrive in the mail. If you’re not eligible, your application may be forwarded to the Health Insurance Marketplace to see if you qualify for other coverage options.
You can check the status of your Georgia Medicaid application at www.gateway.ga.gov or by calling 877-423-4746.
Medicaid coverage must be renewed every 12 months. The Georgia Department of Family & Children Services (DFCS) will notify you by mail or online the month before your renewal is due.
If you miss your renewal, you have 90 days to reapply and restore coverage. Your coverage stays active during the renewal process unless you’re found ineligible. If you’re denied benefits or disagree with a decision, you have 10 days to request a fair hearing to keep services during your appeal.
4. Pregnancy Medicaid in Georgia
Georgia offers Medicaid coverage for pregnant women through Right from the Start Medicaid (RSM). This program provides full medical coverage during pregnancy, labor, and delivery, and for up to 12 months after giving birth.
To be eligible, you must:
- Be pregnant
- Meet income requirements (at or below 220% of the Federal Poverty Level – see 2025 limits in the table above)
- Be a Georgia resident and a U.S. citizen or legal immigrant
Eligible pregnant women can receive a wide range of health services, including:
- Doctor visits
- Prescription medications
- Inpatient and outpatient hospital care
- Labor and delivery services
>>> Read more: Top 5+ Best Single Mom Assistance Programs
5. Medicaid for People with Disabilities in Georgia
Waiver Programs
These allow individuals who are elderly or have disabilities to receive care at home or in their communities rather than in an institution such as a nursing home or intermediate care facility. Several Georgia waiver programs include:
- NOW & COMP Waivers: Support individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
- ICWP: Serves adults ages 21–64 with severe physical disabilities or traumatic brain injury.
- CCSP & SOURCE: For elderly and disabled individuals who meet nursing facility level of care, stay at home with case management, adult daycare, personal care, and home-delivered meals.
Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS)
LTSS helps eligible Georgians with disabilities live safely in their chosen setting, whether that’s in a nursing facility, their own home, or a caregiver’s home.
Georgia Long Term Care Partnership
This program combines private long-term care insurance with Medicaid. It offers an alternative to spending down or giving away assets to qualify for Medicaid, allowing individuals to protect their savings while still receiving long-term care coverage when needed.
Money Follows the Person (Ga MFP)
Ga MFP helps Medicaid recipients with disabilities transition from institutional care back into the community.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Services
Georgia Medicaid covers assessment and treatment services for children and youth under 21 who have Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Coverage is based on medical necessity and the severity of the condition.
TEFRA/Katie Beckett Program
This program provides Medicaid coverage to children with disabilities, even if their family’s income is too high for regular Medicaid. Eligibility is based on the child’s medical needs, not the parents’ income.
6. Related Benefits: Free Government Phone in Georgia
If you’re enrolled in Medicaid in Georgia, you automatically qualify for the Lifeline program, which provides free or discounted phone and internet service to low-income households.
What Is Lifeline?
Lifeline is a federal assistance program that helps eligible Georgians stay connected through free monthly wireless service, and in many cases, a free smartphone or tablet.
How to Apply for a Free Government Phone Georgia
You can apply through approved providers like AirTalk Wireless and claim a free device. Follow these steps:
- Visit AirTalk Wireless. Enter your Georgia ZIP code.
- Select a Lifeline plan.
- Choose a free phone (there are various options from brands like Apple, Samsung, LG, among others)
- Upload documents if needed.
- Once approved, your free device will be shipped to your address.
To prove Medicaid eligibility, you may be asked to upload one of the following: a benefits award letter, an official program approval letter, or a benefits card with your name.
If your Medicaid enrollment can’t be automatically verified, you’ll need to upload this proof during the application process.
Conclusion
There are approaches to applying for Medicaid that can slow you down, like skipping important documents or missing deadlines. They can lead to delays, denials, or even loss of coverage. Stay informed, prepare your paperwork, and choose the most efficient application method for your situation..
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