Apply for Medicaid

Medicaid is a health insurance program for certain groups of people based on both financial and non-financial criteria. Most people who are eligible receive a comprehensive medical benefit package at no cost.

How to Apply

What You May Need to Apply

• Social Security Numbers (or document numbers for any legal immigrants who need insurance)
• Employer and income information for everyone in your family (for example, from paystubs, W-2
  forms, or wage and tax statements)
• Policy numbers for any current health insurance
• Information about any job-related health insurance available to your family

Application Process at a Glance

1. Initial and ongoing eligibility. Iowa Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) determines eligibility.
2. Medicaid eligibility card. Approximately seven (7) days after eligibility is determined an Iowa Medicaid eligibility card is sent to the member.
3. Iowa Medicaid enrollment packet. Approximately 1-2 weeks after eligibility is determined, members receive their Iowa Medicaid enrollment packet which includes their Managed Care Organization (MCO) and/or Dental Plan assignment, choice period end date, flyers for the MCO and/or Dental Plan, and an enrollment form to change their MCO and/or Dental Plan.
4. Choice (optional). Members may submit their choice to Iowa Medicaid Member Services by phone, fax, email or mail. Members are notified of their effective date.
5. Confirmation of coverage letter. Confirmation of Coverage Letters are sent to members who change their MCO/Dental Plan from their initial assignment. This letter includes the name of the MCO and/or Dental Plan who will be providing their coverage and the effective date of that coverage with their MCO/Dental Plan.
6. MCO and dental plan card. The member’s MCO and/or Dental Plan begins sending outreach materials and the member ID card within seven days of receipt of enrollment information.
7. Coverage begins. The member begins receiving coverage from their selected or assigned MCO and/or Dental Plan.
8. Choice continues. Members have 90 days from their choice period end date provided in their enrollment package to change their MCO and/or Dental Plan for any reason. After that, members may change their plan for reasons of “good cause,” such as their provider not being in their network. Members also have an annual choice period, which coincides with their initial enrollment in managed care.