MO HealthNet (Missouri Medicaid) Frequently Asked Questions
If you do not have health insurance or need help paying for your health care, you may be eligible for coverage through Missouri’s Medicaid program, called MO HealthNet. Eligibility for MO HealthNet coverage depends on your income, age, health, and individual needs. Review the eligibility requirements to determine your eligibility.
To determine if you are eligible and to apply, visit Apply for MO HealthNet. You can apply through the online portal, by phone at (855) 373-9994, or download and print the application using Adobe Reader.
If you are approved for MO HealthNet coverage, you will either be assigned to a Managed Care health plan or you will receive Fee for Service coverage.
MO HealthNet assigns individuals to either the Fee-For-Service program or a Managed Care health plan depending on eligibility criteria.
Fee-For-Service
Serves:
- Senior (age 65 and older)
- Person with a disability
- Blind or visually impaired adult
- Woman (under age 65) with breast or cervical cancer
Managed Care
Serves:
- Pregnant woman including her newborn
- Child (birth to age 18)
- Parent with children in the home
- Adult (age 19-64) without a disability
- What services does MO HealthNet cover?
MO HealthNet covers services that help you live a long and healthy life. Services are meant to prevent and treat illness and correct or limit disability.
The following are some examples of covered services. Services may be limited or not covered based on your eligibility.
- Ambulance
- Ambulatory surgical center
- Behavioral health services
- Birthing centers
- Comprehensive day rehabilitation
- Dental
- Diabetic supplies and equipment
- Diabetes self-management training
- Doctor’s office visits
- Durable medical equipment (oxygen, wheelchair, walker)
- Healthy Children & Youth Program
- Emergency room
- Family planning
- Hearing aids and related services
- Home health services
- Hospice, in the last six months of life
- Hospital, when overnight stay is required
- Laboratory tests and x-rays
- Maternity benefits, nurse midwife
- Mental health and substance abuse
- Nursing Facility
- Outpatient, when overnight stay is required
- Personal care
- Podiatry
- Pharmacy
- Transplant and related services
- Transportation to medical appointments
- Vision
Additional information can be found on the Covered Services chart.
- What happens after I apply for MO HealthNet?
Once you have applied, the Family Support Division (FSD) will let you know what might be needed to process your application. The time it takes to process your application may vary, and if FSD has to make an eligibility decision based on a disability, it may take longer than usual. If you do not receive anything from FSD after 45 days, you can Contact FSD.
Once your application has been processed, you will receive a letter from FSD that lets you know if you are eligible for MO HealthNet coverage. If you are approved, you will receive a MO HealthNet Identification Card and information explaining the type of services and coverage you have. You will need to follow the instructions in the letter in order for your coverage to begin.
If you are enrolled in a MO HealthNet Managed Care health plan, you will get an assignment letter in the mail about the health plan you were assigned to and the date your services will begin. You can start getting care once you receive your assignment letter.
Your new health plan will send you a welcome packet, a Managed Care health plan card, and a member handbook with information about your services. Always carry both your Managed Care health plan and your MO HealthNet ID cards with you and show them each time you get care. Call the phone number on your health plan card if you have any questions about your health plan.
- How can I check the status of my application or ask questions about my coverage?
Online: Visit mydss.mo.gov to apply for benefits, check your status, report a change, or learn more about MO HealthNet coverage
Call: (855) 373-4636
Chat Online: Visit mydss.mo.gov and select DSS Chat to get answers about your case or general information
In Person: Visit your local FSD Resource Center