If you meet certain criteria, you may be eligible to receive Medicaid health insurance. Medicaid is a program that is funded by the state and Federal government and implemented by the state. It helps individuals and families who have a limited income to get health insurance. But there are other criteria that must be met in order to receive Medicaid. Having a low income is just one factor that is considered. Other factors include age, whether there are any disabilities, whether there is a pregnancy or blindness, what other monetary assets are owned, and U.S. citizenship.
There are many people who receive some type of Medicaid health insurance to offset healthcare expenses. The Medicaid guidelines are subject to change from one state to another. There are also certain rules that apply to nursing home residents as well as disabled children.
If you have Medicaid, you may find that you will still have to make a co-payment for certain medical services that are provided. This depends a great deal on the rules of each individual state.
To apply for Medicaid, there are documents that you will need to have available. You will also need to fill out an application with pertinent information for the Medicaid office to properly evaluate your claim and see if you meet the eligibility requirements.
The documents you may be required to produce for evaluation are listed below:
- Birth Certificate.
- Medicare card.
- Proof of address.
- Information on bank accounts, insurance policies and other monetary assets.
- Proof of United States citizenship. If you are not a U.S. citizen but are pregnant or have a medical condition that requires emergency treatment, you may be eligible for Medicaid. But you still need to meet all of the other criteria.
- If you are employed, you will need copies of your pay stubs.
- If you have other health insurance, you will need a copy of the policy or the benefits that are provided.
- If you are getting an income from other sources besides a job, such as SSI, you will need to compile proof of those incomes.
In order to apply for Medicaid health insurance, you will need to contact the Department of Human Services or Social Security Office in your area. You can come into the office in person to fill out an application, bringing with you the pertinent documents that will be needed to evaluate your case. You can also have an application mailed to you or speak to someone over the phone that may be able to fill out an application with you. In some instances, you may also be able to apply for Medicaid online.
You may have other health insurance but can no longer afford the premiums. In that case, if you are eligible for Medicaid and are accepted, your Medicaid health insurance may pay the premiums for you. And there are also situations where your premiums may still be paid for you even if you are not eligible to receive Medicaid. This may occur if you lose your job or your wages are reduced.
Here are some facts about Medicaid that you may not have known:
- The largest amount of federal money that is spent in Medicaid is for those with HIV or AIDS.
- If you are receiving SSI, you will most likely be eligible for Medicaid. Sometimes it is automatic.
- Each state has a Medicaid system that must comply with Federal guidelines.
- It is voluntary for states to participate in a Medicaid program. All states have been participating since 1982.
- There are certain individuals who will be eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid. Health expenses will be paid by Medicare first, and then the remainder will be handled by Medicaid.
- When you have been enrolled in the Medicaid program, your benefits will start covering medical expenses for three months prior to the filing of your application.
Medicaid helps those who have low incomes, disabled, children, elderly, and those in nursing home residents. Through Medicaid health insurance, many individuals have been able to receive help with medical expenses who otherwise would not have had any way of paying these bills.