In different parts of the country, Medicaid may be called by other names. Regardless of its title, Medicaid programs vary somewhat from one state to another, but the basics are fundamentally the same. It is health insurance that is funded by the state and Federal government and is a way for low-income individuals and families to have coverage for medical expenses that they may otherwise not be able to afford. But a low income is just one requirement for Medicaid benefits. There are other requirements that also must be met for eligibility to be applicable. Factors that are considered other than income include age, disabilities and pregnancy.
Medicaid programs can be of great benefit to those who are accepted. An application will need to be filled out and certain documentation must be provided in order to apply for Medicaid. The application may be filled out in person at the Social Security or Department of Human Services office in your area. You may also request an application to be sent to you by mail, or you may be able to fill one out over the phone by speaking to a representative and giving him or her pertinent information. Some states may also have online applications available.
If you are currently receiving SSI benefits, you are usually eligible for Medicaid, in some states automatically. And if you yourself do not meet the criteria for Medicaid benefits but have a disabled child living with you, your child may be eligible for Medicaid. His or her eligibility has to do with the child’s circumstances.
There are documents that you will have to present to the Medicaid office in order for your application to be properly evaluated.
- You will have to provide verification of your birth, such as your Birth Certificate.
- If you have Medicare or other health insurance, you will need to present documentation concerning your policies as well as Identification cards.
- If you are employed, you will need to show your pay stubs for the last three months.
- The cash value of any insurance policies, such as life insurance, will be required.
- You will need to present verification of your monthly out-of-pocket expenses, including utilities, rent, health insurance premiums that you are paying, auto insurance, and any other expenses that you are required to pay each month. This verification of expenses should be for the last three months.
- Proof of your U.S. citizenship is required.
- Any taxes that you pay, including property tax, will need to be evaluated.
- If you have stocks or bonds, IRAs, CDs, or other financial investments, including bank accounts, you will need to produce proof of the existence of these assets for the last 36 months. You will also need to show verification of any accounts that have been closed out within the previous 36-month period.
- You are required to provide documentation of titles to vehicles as well as deeds to any property that you own.
- Your Social Security card will be required.
- If you are married and your spouse is still living, your Marriage Certificate will be necessary. If your spouse is deceased, you will need to provide a Death Certificate.
- Verification of any prepaid funeral arrangements, burial trusts or policies will also be required.
If you are eligible for Medicaid, you will find that your medical expenses will be covered by the benefits that are provided through Medicaid programs. There are certain healthcare services that may incur a co-payment from you, depending on the service and also on the state where you reside. But this co-payment will be minimal compared to what you would have to pay for the entire service if you did not have Medicaid.
If you are already a Medicare recipient, you may be eligible to receive Medicaid benefits as well. If this should be the case, your Medicare insurance would be applied to your healthcare costs first. The remaining amount of your medical expenses not covered by Medicare would be picked up by Medicaid.
Medicaid programs provide the means by which eligible low income individuals and families receive medical care that they could not pay for in any other way.