After overcoming numerous hurdles and delays in the legislature, more than 200,000 newly eligible Missourians are now able to enroll for Medicaid coverage.

In the 2020 election, Missouri voters approved Medicaid expansion, but Republicans in the state legislature refused to provide funding for the program and as a result, Gov. Mike Parson refused to expand it. In response, three Missouri women, who qualified under the expansion, sued the state.

A Cole County judge ruled that Parson acted lawfully, but the Missouri Supreme Court reversed the decision and Medicaid expansion was allowed to go through.

After the Missouri Supreme Court ruled Medicaid expansion must go into effect, the Department of Social Services said it would still take nearly two months until Oct. 1 for necessary system updates to make that happen.

Non-disabled adults between the ages of 19 and 64 may now be eligible for coverage through Missouri’s Medicaid program (MO HealthNet). The federal government will reimburse the state for 90% of the cost of expansion.

Here are the requirements to apply:

–             You must live in Missouri

–             You must make less than 138% of the federal poverty level to apply, which changes depending on the applicant’s household size. For a single person, the income limit for coverage is $17,774. For someone in a family of two, the income limit is $24,039. For someone in a family of three, the income limit for Medicaid is $30,304. For someone in a family of four, the income limit is $36,570.

–             You are not eligible for or receiving Medicare Part A or B, MO HealthNet for Families, MO HealthNet for Pregnant Women, or Non-Spend Down MO HealthNet for the Aged Blind & Disabled.

Those eligible can now apply here: https://mydss.mo.gov/healthcare/apply.

The Family Support Division will process your application and any supporting documentation as soon as they receive it. This can take up to 45 days. Once your application is processed, you will receive a letter letting you know if you are eligible for healthcare coverage or not.

If you are approved, you will receive a MO HealthNet Identification Card and information explaining the type of services and coverage you have. Follow the instructions in that letter for your coverage to begin.

If you apply before Nov. 1, the state will automatically explore your coverage start date back to July 1, 2021. If you apply after Nov. 1 and you would like to explore your coverage for prior months, you will need to indicate you have had medical services in the last three months when you apply on Step 4 in the application.

If you have questions about applying for MO HealthNet, call the Department of Social Services at 855-FSD-INFO (855-373-4636). Or visit their website: https://mydss.mo.gov/healthcare/apply.