A Creative Way to Enroll Medicaid Beneficiaries

Many people throughout the country are eligible to receive Medicaid benefits.  Unfortunately, there are a large number of individuals who are eligible for Medicaid who either don’t realize they are eligible or are not taking advantage of benefits that could be helpful to them, or both.  How does a person find out whether or not they are eligible?  One county in Ohio has created a unique program to try to locate about 30,000 residents that it thinks are eligible for Medicaid. 

Hamilton County has joined forces with the FreestoreFoodbank to try to locate these individuals and enroll them in the program.  The Over-The-Rhine-based food pantry has received a $1 million contract to help locate and sign up at least part of the individuals that are eligible, as well.

Hamilton County Commissioner, Todd Portune issued a press release in which he stated, “These residents are eligible for assistance that can provide them the care and preventive treatment they need to lead healthy, fulfilling lives; they just don’t know it.  It is long past time that we reached out to them.”

This unique move is one of the positive things that are happening regarding the Medicaid program and supporting individuals who qualify.  In addition, the pantry will be engaging local businesses with employees who are uninsured and either work part-time or have a low income.  The program will also reach out to schools, health centers that serve low-income residents and social service agencies working with the poor and the elderly.

The program is made possible through the county’s Department of Job and Family Services, who is providing funding.  Outreach will focus on children under the age of 19, pregnant women, adults age 65 and older, individuals with disabilities and homeless individuals.

This is a big step forward in one area of the country.  It will be wonderful if this type of program catches on in other counties and states, and spreads throughout the country.  With all the issues surrounding people who are uninsured, having programs such as this one could cut those numbers by a good amount and leave many thousands of people protected instead of vulnerable.

Filed under: General-Medicaid

Tags: disability, eligibility, enrollment, medicaid, social security