5011            U.S. CITIZENSHIP AND ELIGIBLE ALIEN STATUS

To be eligible for Medicaid, including Denali KidCare, an individual must be a U.S. citizen or a qualified alien.  

U.S. citizens must provide verification of their U.S. citizenship and identity to be eligible for Medicaid benefits.

Qualified aliens must provide verification of their satisfactory immigration status when they apply for Medicaid benefits.  

Note:  

Verification of satisfactory immigration status is not required for an alien applying for treatment of an emergency medical condition.  See Section 5600.

Verification of U.S. citizenship and identity is not required for:

• A current Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipient;

Note:

A screen-print of the State Data Exchange (SDX) interface may be used to verify and document a former SSI recipient’s citizenship.  An SSI recipient’s citizenship status can be found in the Alien Indicator Code at position 578 on the SDX.

• A current Medicare recipient;

• An individual receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI Social Security Disability Insurance) benefits;

• Children in state foster care or Title IV-E adoption assistance;
   

• A newborn child, including a baby whose mother is a non-qualified alien and is determined eligible under “Emergency Treatment for Aliens” for the labor and delivery of the child.  Documentation of U.S. citizenship would be required when the child turns age one. receiving newborn coverage through the end of his or her first birthday.

Verification of U.S. citizenship or immigration status is needed only for the individuals who will receive benefits, not for individuals applying for or renewing Medicaid or Denali KidCare on behalf of someone else.

Note:  

If an individual who is a mandatory household member is found ineligible for Medicaid for failure to provide verification of their own citizenship and identity, or immigration status, that individual’s needs, income, and resources continue to be included in the financial eligibility determination for the household.