Medicaid
From Life Done Right SeniorWiki
Medicaid is available only to certain low-income individuals and families who fit into an eligibility group that is recognized by federal and state law. Medicaid does not pay money to you; instead, it sends payments directly to your health care providers. Depending on your state's rules, you may also be asked to pay a small part of the cost (co-payment) for some medical services.
Medicaid is a state administered program and each state sets its own guidelines regarding eligibility and services. Read more about your state Medicaid program.
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.
In general, you should apply for Medicaid if your income is low and you match one of the descriptions of the Eligibility Groups. (Even if you are not sure whether you qualify, if you or someone in your family needs health care, you should apply for Medicaid and have a qualified caseworker in your state evaluate your situation.)
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Contact Information
Medicare Service Center: 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227)
Medicare Service Center TTY: 877-486-2048
Report Medicare Fraud & Abuse: 800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477)
State Medicaid Links
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California Medi-Cal
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii Medi-Quest
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- North Carolina
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee Tennacare
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
External Links
Related Books
- How to Protect Your Family's Assets from Devastating Nursing Home Costs: Medicaid Secrets by K. Gabriel Heiser
- Medicare and Medicaid Benefits, 2007 Edition by CCH Health Law Editors
- The Medicaid Planning Handbook: A Guide to Protecting Your Family's Assets from Catastrophic Nursing Home Costs by Alexander A. Bove Jr.
- American Bar Association Legal Guide for Americans Over 50: Everything about the law and Medicare and Medicaid, retirement rights, and long-term choices ... and your parents by American Bar Association
- Poor People's Medicine: Medicaid and American Charity Care since 1965 by Jonathan Engel
- Baby Boomer's Guide to Estate & Medicaid Planning by Jon A. Iverson
- A Guide to Elder Planning: Everything You Need to Know to Protect Yourself Legally and Financially by Steve Weisman
- How to Care For Your Parents' Money While Caring for Your Parents by Sharon Burns
- Remaking Medicaid: Managed Care for the Public Good by Stephen Davidson
- The Baby Boomer's Guide to Nursing Home Care by Eric M. Carlson
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