Medical Assistance & Support
Medicaid Services in Franklin County
Medicaid provides health coverage to eligible individuals and families, helping them access essential medical care at little or no cost. Whether you're looking for basic healthcare services, specialized support, or long-term care, Medicaid is here to help.
Apply for Medicaid
Who is Eligible for Medicaid?
Eligibility is based on income, family size, citizenship status and other factors like age and disability. To see if you qualify, use Ohio’s eligibility checker tool.
Some groups that may qualify include:
- Families with children
- Pregnant individuals
- People with disabilities
- Adults with low income
Check Your Eligibility
New Eligibility Restrictions - Effective Oct. 1, 2026
H.R. 1 or the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, passed in 2025, limits Medicaid eligibility to only U.S. Citizens and qualified Lawful Permanent Residents/green card holders. Some Cuban and Haitian nationals may still qualify.
Effective Oct. 1, 2026, lawful immigrants, refugees and non-citizens with special humanitarian status will no longer be eligible for Medicaid unless they have obtained a green card and have completed the 5-year waiting period or qualify for an exemption to the waiting period.
Residents who do not meet the updated eligibility criteria may be eligible for Non-Citizen Emergency Medical Assistance (NCEMA) and may also review private health coverage options at Healthcare.gov.
Breakdown of Non-Citizen Eligibility Changes
Immigration Status / Category
|
|
On and After
Oct. 1. 2026
|
Eligible For
Full Medicaid
|
Eligible For
Full Medicaid
|
|
LPRs / Green Card Holders1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cuban/Haitian Entrants3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Parolees in US for 1+ Year7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lawfully Residing Veterans /
Active Servicemembers & Family10
|
|
|
|
1. Section 101(a)(15) and 101(a)(20) of INA; An individual who is lawfully admitted for permanent residence. (8 U.S.C. § 1641(b)(1))
2. 8 U.S.C. § 1613
3. Section 501(e) of Refugee Education Assistance Act of 1980. (8 U.S.C. § 1641(b)(7))
4. 8 U.S.C. §§ 1613(b)(3) and 1641(b)(8)
5. A refugee who is admitted to the U.S. under section 207 of INA. (8 U.S.C. § 1641(b)(3))
6. An individual who is granted asylum under section 208 of the INA. (8 U.S.C. § 1641(b)(2))
7. An individual who is paroled into the U.S. under section 212(d)(5) of INA for a period of at least one year. (8 U.S.C. § 1641(b)) 8. Section 241(b)(3) of the INA, as amended. (8 U.S.C. § 1641(b)(5))
9. 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(15)(T)(ii); 22 U.S.C. § 7105(b)(1)(A) and (C). (8 U.S.C. § 1641(c)(4))
10. 8 U.S.C. § 1612(b)(2)(C))
For additional information see OAC 5160:1-2-12(C)
Do you need to submit updated citizenship information like an I-551 green card or other verification documents for your case? Use the Franklin County JFS Document Uploader.
Upload Case Verification Documents
Group VIII Coverage Changes - Effective Jan. 1, 2027
Due to new federal laws, Medicaid eligibility requirements will be changing for individuals eligible for and enrolled in Group VIII coverage (also known as MAGI Adult or Ribocoff coverage).
Beginning January 1, 2027, the new rules will introduce a Work and Community Engagement Requirement for certain non-exempt individuals, ages 19 - 64, to demonstrate ongoing participation in work or community activities for a minimum of 80 hours per month as a condition of coverage.
Federal law will also require renewals to take place every six months, which is more frequent than the current 12-month renewal requirement.
Read more on the Ohio Medicaid website
What Does Medicaid Cover?
Medicaid covers a wide range of services to support your health and well-being. This includes:
- Doctor visits, hospital stays, and prescriptions
- Long-term Care: Medicaid offers long-term care services, including nursing home placement for income-eligible individuals and home or community-based support through waiver programs . Learn more about Medicaid's long-term care services.
- Medical Transportation: Medicaid can help cover transportation services to get you to and from appointments. Learn more about medical transportation services.
- Healthchek Program: Healthchek provides free check-ups and screenings for children and young adults under 21 to detect and treat health issues early. Services include physical exams, vision and dental screenings, immunizations, and more. Learn more about Healthchek services.
For a full list of services, visit Ohio Medicaid’s services page.
What is Managed Care?
Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) help Medicaid members get the care they need by connecting them with doctors, specialists, and other services. In Ohio, you can choose from several MCOs that work like HMOs to coordinate your care. Learn more about Managed Care and compare plans(PDF, 954KB).
How to Apply
Applying for Medicaid is simple. Start your application online or visit a Franklin County office for help. Once you apply, a caseworker will contact you to verify your information and request documents. The documents you’ll need depend on your situation, but could include proof of income, ID, or medical information.
Learn what documents you may need(PDF, 371KB)
After applying, you’ll get a decision about your eligibility and next steps. Learn more details on what to expect.
Medicaid makes healthcare accessible for thousands of Franklin County residents. Explore your options today and take the first step toward better health. You will need to renew your eligibility each year.
Apply for Medicaid