Medicaid to 21

The Medicaid to 21 Program lets 18 year olds leaving foster care continue receiving medical benefits until age 21 even if they are no longer in foster care or other eligible out-of-home placement.

Who is eligible?

You must be able to answer "YES" to ALL 3 statements

• You are in foster care or Other eligible out-of-home placements include:
  • Licensed foster care
  • Relative foster care
  • Tribal foster care
  • ICPC foster care in Washington State
  • Other foster care (unlicensed, court ordered, guardianship)
  other eligible out-of-home placement and under age 21
• On or after July 22, 2007, you were in foster care or
  Other eligible out-of-home placements include:
  • Licensed foster care
  • Relative foster care
  • Tribal foster care
  • ICPC foster care in Washington State
  • Other foster care (unlicensed, court ordered, guardianship)
  other eligible out-of-home placement under the responsibility of DSHS or a federally recognized tribe within Washington State
• You were in foster care on your 18th birthday

Important things to know:

• To sign up for Medicaid to 21, call the Foster Care Meds Team (FCMT) at 1-800-547-3109. Do not go to your local CSO to sign up.
• If you are in the adoption support program you are not eligible.
• Continued eligibility is automatic. You only need to provide a mailing address to the Foster Care MEDS Team (FCMT) prior to leaving care. This will ensure that you continue to receive a medical identification card (med coupon) every month.
• Contact the FCMT before you sign up for any other programs through the CSO. If you apply for other DSHS services (Food Assistance, TANF) through the CSO, you may no longer be eligible for Medicaid to 21.
• The DCFS social worker has no ongoing responsibility to continue case management for you when you leave care and are eligible for continued Foster Care Medical benefits.

Direct questions to: