Can I Keep Medicaid if I Get a Job?

You want a good job, but you also need access to affordable healthcare. We get it. Before you accept a job, make sure you think through what kind of moves you need to make to take care of yourself. 
Medicaid is a medical insurance program that is jointly funded by the Federal government and the states, and is administered by the states under Federal guidelines. It is intended to provide essential medical coverage to low-income individuals and families and/or people with disabilities or chronic illness. The income thresholds are generally set by the Federal government each year, and are tied to the poverty line. 

There are other ways to qualify as well, such as medical need or other factors that either cause you to incur more expenses or make finding a job more difficult than it is for the average person. As you can see, Medicaid is a complex program, making simple answers to most questions difficult. Hopefully this article puts some of these questions in perspective for you. For more complete answers, you can go to the true source and check out Medicaid.gov.

Can I keep Medicaid if I get a job?

If you qualify for Medicaid based solely on your income level, your job could impact your eligibility. However, if your new job offers healthcare, Medicaid will generally work with you to maintain your coverage until your probationary period in your new job passes and you are eligible to enroll in your employer’s coverage, so you won’t lose Medicaid immediately, leaving you in a gap while you wait for your new insurance to start. 

How much can you earn and still be on Medicaid?

Since states administer the program independently of one another, and there are optional  portions of Medicaid that states aren’t required to offer, the exact amount you can earn and still be on Medicaid depends on the state you live and work in. 

This number varies, depending on how you qualify. If you receive Social Security Injury benefits and qualify for Medicaid, you could stay on the job AND qualify for Medicaid if you have special work or medical expenses and your Medicaid benefits are not enough to cover them all.

Will my child lose Medicaid if I get a job?

If your child receives Medicaid because of a disability or chronic condition, then a change in your employment status will not impact your child’s coverage. If your child does not qualify based on a medical need, then your job could affect your family’s eligibility. However, in your case, eligibility would be based on the income threshold for a family with dependent children, which is a higher threshold than for an individual just trying to cover themselves. Check your state eligibility thresholds to see what your income would have to be to preclude you from coverage through Medicaid.

There is another program, however, designed to ensure medical coverage for families whose income does not meet the Medicaid threshold, called CHIP. The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) is also a joint Federal and State program, much like Medicaid. It was designed so that parents didn’t have to choose between taking job opportunities that come along and providing for your child’s health.  

Will Medicaid know if I get a job?

Part of the verification process for Medicaid every year involves a check-in with the Social Security Administration. Since Social Security Insurance is taken out of everyone’s paycheck, by law, in order to fund the Social Security program and provide income after retirement, Medicaid will definitely find out if-and-when you get a job. 

What Should I Consider Before Taking A Job?

Of course a good salary is a key consideration. But the benefits the company offers can be just as important. A good benefits package including things like healthcare, vision, dental coverage can help protect you against medical expenses, allowing you to make better use of the money you earn. Scholarship and educational resources can help you build your knowledge and skills, allowing you to earn more money. The key is finding a balance between a decent salary and affordable benefits that you can actually use.

Onin Provides Radically Affordable Healthcare Benefits with Every Job

Whether you are full-time or part-time, when you join our Team you get access to our unbeatable benefits. Starting at just $17.82 per paycheck, for individual coverage, As an Onin Teammate, that coverage includes $5 Copays on doctor visits, $5 generic prescriptions, FREE vision AND dental coverage, free mental health services, free Teledoctor service, as well as other benefits, like paid vacation, scholarship opportunities, and a host of other services to help you make the most of every single dollar you earn.

For more information on Medicaid coverage and eligibility, visit https://www.medicaid.gov/.