Link to MamasHealth.com
MamasHealth.com Home
Medicare Information

Medicaid
Medicare
Medicare part D
Medicare part D plans
Medigap

Links

Email Mama

Financial help during medical crisis

Financial Assistance for women's healthcare



Email Newsletter icon, E-mail Newsletter icon, Email List icon, E-mail List icon Sign up for the MamasHealth Newsletter

 

Medicaid Insurance

What is Medicaid Insurance?

Medicaid health insurance provides health care coverage for some low-income people who cannot afford it. This includes people who are eligible because they are aged, blind, or disabled or certain people in families with dependent children. Medicaid does not pay money to you; instead, it sends payments directly to your health care providers.

Medicaid is a Federal program that is operated by the States. Each individual state decides who is eligible and the scope of health services offered. Depending on your state's rules, you may also be asked to pay a small part of the cost for some medical services.  

Who is Eligible for Medicaid?

Many groups of people are covered by Medicaid. Even within these groups, though, certain requirements must be met. These may include your age, whether you are pregnant, disabled, blind, or aged; your income and resources (like bank accounts, real property, or other items that can be sold for cash); and whether you are a U.S. citizen or a lawfully admitted immigrant. The rules for counting your income and resources vary from state to state and from group to group. There are special rules for those who live in nursing homes and for disabled children living at home.

Your child may be eligible for coverage if he or she is a U.S. citizen or a lawfully admitted immigrant, even if you are not (however, there is a 5-year limit that applies to lawful permanent residents). Eligibility for children is based on the child's status, not the parent's. Also, if someone else's child lives with you, the child may be eligible even if you are not because your income and resources will not count for the child.

When Medicaid Eligibility Starts

Medicaid overage may start retroactive to any or all of the 3 months prior to application, if the individual would have been eligible during the retroactive period. Coverage usually stops at the end of the month in which a person's circumstances change.

How to Apply for Medicaid

To apply for Medicaid, contact your local social services department and show proof of your financial need for this assistance.

What Medicaid Does Not Cover

Medicaid does not provide medical assistance for all poor persons. Even under the broadest provisions of the Federal statute (except for emergency services for certain persons), the Medicaid program does not provide health care services, even for very poor persons, unless they are in one of the designated eligibility groups. Low income is only one test for Medicaid eligibility; assets and resources are also tested against established thresholds.


Featured Book

Health Book

Health Topic: Tummy Tuck Surgery: What No One Tells You

Medicare Part D: Everything you need to know

Finding time for sex

How to choose the best weight loss program

Easy flirting tips

How to deal with a stubborn husband or boyfriend

Surviving a financial crisis

Save money in the kitchen

Inexpensive health insurance

Information obtained from MamasHealth.com™ should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or attention by a qualified practitioner, nor should it be inferred as such. Always check with your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about a specific condition.

Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the Terms of Use.
Contact us: PO Box 2170, Pasadena, CA 91102-2170

If you want a review of your product featured on MamasHealth.com, let us know.

©2000 - 2008 MamasHealth.com™. All rights reserved

Link to MamasHealth.com