What Does Medicaid Cover?
Medicaid is a government-backed health insurance program designed for people who come from low-income families. As the federal department backs it, it’s a trusted health insurance partner.
People with Medicaid insurance pay little or nothing to get all healthcare services. Everything you need to know about Medicaid health insurance, its eligibility, and the application process is given in this article.
Medicaid Health Insurance is a joint health insurance program with the federal and state governments. Each state has set up different criteria for the same health insurance coverage for its citizens. Health insurance helps people with low-income families who have limited resources to get access to healthcare services.
Medicaid was first launched in the 1960s and became law in 1965 legally. People always get confused with Medicaid and Medicare. Medicare is a totally different healthcare program. This program is designed for the elderly and disabled.
Since it’s a joint program of state and federal government, state governments receive funds from the federal government to distribute their services to eligible people. It is the largest healthcare program in the US.
Is Medicaid available for all?
Medicaid Program is not available for all US citizens. The program serves a specific group of people. The group of people who can apply for the Medicaid Health Insurance program is listed below:
- Parents with low-income
- Children of families with low-income
- Pregnant Women with low-income families
- Senior Citizens with low-income
- Children in foster care
Since the state governments fully operate Medicaid, the above group of people may vary from state to state. State government can expand or reduce the group of people as per their decision.
How do you get Medicaid Services?
Medicaid Healthcare Services are categorized into three different ways. Here’s detailed information about the different ways in which one can get Medicaid Services.
1. Fee for Service
In this type, Medicaid providers are paid for the services offered to the Medicaid Insurers. The fees for different healthcare services are based on the maximum price per unit set by the government.
2. Rate
Rate providers are paid a sum of rates i.e. threshold rate submitted by them to the authority every year. Rate providers can follow different reimbursement formulas to get paid for their services offered to Medicaid insurers. The rate formulas to get paid for daily, monthly, quarterly, and yearly.
3. Managed Care
Managed Care providers through Medicaid are provided monthly capitation payments for each enrolled member.
What types of Services are Covered Under Medicaid?
Medicaid beneficiaries can get the following healthcare services.
What types of Services are Covered Under Medicaid?
- Inpatient hospital services
- Outpatient hospital services
- Home health services
- Nursing facility services
- Early and periodic screening, diagnostic, and treatment services
- Laboratory and X-ray services
- Family planning services
- Rural health clinic services
- Physician services
- Federally qualified health center services
- Nurse midwife services
- Transportation to medical care
- Freestanding birth care services
Besides this, you can get many other optional services through Medicaid Health Insurance. You can get optional services at reasonable rates with the help of Medicaid insurance.
How to Apply for Medicaid?
There are multiple ways with which you can apply for Medicaid health insurance. If you are 18 plus, you can apply for Medicaid through your local Home and Community Service office. Or you can do the same online with the help of their website.
The application process to apply for Medicaid is simple, and anyone can do so by following the process in three simple steps.
- Filling out an application form with the given details and personal information.
- A review of your financial condition to check your eligibility, as this program is for low-income families only.
- Personal care to check your physician eligibility.
After completing these three steps, you can wait for the final call or email.
You can apply in person through the HCS office. Just visit a local Home and Community Services office and ask for the application form to register for the Medicaid program. The authorized person will help you fill out the application process and with all the other help you might need throughout the process.
On the other hand, you can go to the official website to get more information about the Medicaid program. Depending on your state, you can visit their official website and apply for it.
While applying for the Medicaid Application, you might need the following documents. Make sure you have all the documents listed below in your hands to complete the application process faster.
- Proof of identification
- Social Security Number
- Proof of income
- Alien or immigration documents
- Bank statements, life insurance, property tax statements
- Proof of citizenship
You can get more information about the application process by visiting their official website.
Who is eligible for Medicaid Health Insurance?
The eligibility criteria are different for each state. However, everyone must meet the criteria to complete the application process.
Medicaid applicant must be a citizen of the state from where he is applying for the Medicaid health insurance program. Here’s the category of people who can apply for Medicaid Health Insurance.
- Eligible low-income adults
- Children
- Pregnant women
- People with disabilities
Medicaid Coverage List
Final Words:
Medicaid is a government-backed health insurance program. Medicaid provides plenty of benefits to insurers compared to the ones with private health insurance policies. The lower payment rates, no-cost healthcare services, and many other benefits make this program quite efficient for the needy.
The program is dedicated to low-income families. Check your eligibility criteria, get more information about the Medicaid program through your Home and Community Office Services, and apply for it to get its benefits. Medicaid is a must-have program for low-income families.
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