Medical Assistance / Medicaid / Healthy Start

Important - Redeterminations Resuming

Due to federal law changes, Ohio will resume conducting annual eligibility redeterminations for Medicaid recipients, effective April 1, 2023. Residents with Medicaid who no longer meet eligibility criteria or who fail to complete and return a renewal application will be disenrolled and lose coverage. This will be a gradual process spread out over the next 12 months. Learn more.

Medicaid

The Medicaid program provides eligible Franklin County residents with access to health care, medical treatment, mental and behavioral health services and more through a variety of programs, including:

• Healthy Start Healthy Families - If your children need health coverage, they may qualify for Healthy Start, also known as the federal Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Healthy Start offers free or low-cost health coverage for Ohio children (up to age 19) from families with an income that is too high to qualify for Medicaid, but not enough to buy private health insurance. Pregnant women and parents/legal guardians may also qualify for coverage. 
• Pregnancy-Related Services - Pregnant women may qualify for free health coverage under the Franklin County Healthy Start Pregnancy-Related Services (PRS) program. PRS was put in place to provide access to prenatal and postpartum health services for low-income mothers-to-be to foster positive birth outcomes and healthier babies. Click HERE to learn more about PRS. 
• Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries (QMB) - Assistance with Medicare cost sharing (premiums not included) expenses for eligible elderly and/or disabled individuals.
• Healthchek - Ohio's Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) program for children under age 21 who are covered by Ohio Medicaid/Healthy Start. Healthchek provides access to comprehensive and preventative medical services to ensure healthy childhood development.Medical, dental, vision and hearing screening for eligible children from birth to age 21. Click HERE to learn more about Healthchek.
• Medicaid Expansion - Covers income-eligible Franklin County residents between the ages of 19-64 years old that do not have Medicare. Single adults living at up to 138% poverty may qualify.
• Specialized Recovery Services (SRS) - Covers eligible residents with a serious and persistent mental illness or a diagnosed chronic condition. Residents who are on the solid organ or soft tissue transplant waiting list may also be eligible. SRS include recovery management, individualized placement and support and peer support, in addition receiving full Medicaid coverage. Click HERE to learn more about SRS and review eligibility guidelines.  

Medical Transportation Services

Franklin County Medicaid recipients are eligible for free transportation to and from non-emergency medical appointments. Call the FCDJFS Transportation Unit at 614-233-2381 to make arrangements. All requests must be made at least 24 hours or one business day before your doctor's appointment.

Additional Resources:

• Non-Emergency Transportation Services Brochure (Download)
• Pregnancy-Related Transportation Services Brochure (Download)
• Title XX Medical Cab Transportation Services Brochure (Download)
• Learning, Earning and Parenting Transportation Services (Download)
• FCDJFS Medical Transportation Services Packet (Download)
  • Nepali Translation (Download)
  • Somali Translation (Download)
  • Spanish Translation (Download)

Long-Term Care Services

• Nursing Homes - Assistance with placement into nursing home facilities for income-eligible individuals. Available exclusively at the West Community Opportunity Center.
• Home and Community Based Services (Waiver) - Provides individuals with the option of receiving supportive services at home or in a community setting.