Medical cards often are issued to low-income individuals to help pay for health insurance.
A medical card is an insurance card issued through the local human services office in your city and state. The funds are provided by the federal government and are allotted for individuals and families that can not afford to pay for health care-related services. These federal programs include Medicare and Medicaid. The medical card is intended for people with low incomes or no income. In addition, recipients that qualify for a medical card can not have insurance provide by an employer and must meet U.S citizenship requirements.
Instructions
1. Gather documents to support your eligibility for assistance. You will need to show proof of income for everyone you wish to add to your medical card. Items to demonstrate your income include paycheck stubs or previous-year tax documents (if you are self-employed). You also can furnish proof of monies received a regular basis through child support or alimony. If your income exceeds the maximum amount, you will not be eligible to receive a medical card. For example, as of June 2010, individual applicants in Illinois can not earn more than 1,174 in gross income per month. For every additional participant in your household, you would be required to pay an additional $406. However, every state sets different income levels. Therefore, contact your state's human services (or similar) department to inquire about applicable income requirements. In addition to providing verification of income, you will need to show proof of identity and proof of citizenship for each individual in your household, as well as a copy of your rent or mortgage receipt. If a woman in your household is expecting, be prepared to submit proof of the pregnancy as well.
2. Visit your local human services office in person and apply for a medical card. You likely will be referred to a caseworker to complete an application and submit documentation supporting your eligibility.
3. Complete the application using blue or black ink only. Provide the caseworker or other officials with all requested documentation. The caseworker likely will ask questions to determine your eligibility. If you are approved for the card, expect to receive it in the mail within two weeks from the date of your visit. The medical card is effective for one year. After that, you will need to reapply.
