Medicaid Helps Supply What Medicare Does Not

Medicaid is a program for individuals who can't afford to pay for medical care. You may be covered by Medicaid if you have high medical bills; you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI); or you meet certain income, resource, age, or disability requirements.

This is the official idea behind Medicaid. It was designed to help take care of medical costs that you can't manage on your own due to one or some of the reasons above.

Medicaid differs a little from state to state. It's foundation is the same, however, it depends on the state's terms, conditions and budget.

The following is a description of Medicaid coverage in one particular state:

In general, the following services are paid for by Medicaid, but some may not be covered for you because of your age, financial circumstances, family situation, transfer of resource requirements, or living arrangements. Some services have small co-payments. These services may be provided using your Medicaid card or through your managed care plan if you are enrolled in managed care. You will not have a co-pay if you are in a managed care plan.

• smoking cessation agents
• treatment and preventive health and dental care (doctors and dentists)
• hospital inpatient and outpatient services
• laboratory and X-ray services
• care in a nursing home
• care through home health agencies and personal care
• treatment in psychiatric hospitals (for persons under 21 or those 65 and older), mental health facilities, and facilities for the mentally retarded or the developmentally disabled
• family planning services
• early periodic screening, diagnosis, and treatment for children under 21 years of age under the Child/Teen Health Program
• medicine, supplies, medical equipment, and appliances (wheelchairs, etc.)
• clinic services
• transportation to medical appointments, including public transportation and car mileage
• emergency ambulance transportation to a hospital
• prenatal care
• some insurance and Medicare premiums
• other health services

If you are eligible for Medicaid, you will receive a Benefit Identification Card which must be used when you need medical services. There may be limitations on certain services.

For you to use your Benefit Identification Card for certain medical supplies, equipment, or services (e.g., wheelchair, orthopedic shoes, transportation), you or the person or facility that will provide the service must receive approval before the service can be provided (prior approval).

The information above is a sample of what types of services a person can expect from Medicaid, and in many cases these services help provide what Medicare does not, so that the cost of medical care is not overwhelming for a senior or other individual.

If you think you qualify for Medicaid, contact your state's Medicaid office to begin the process of finding out. Even with budget cuts, Medicaid can help defer medical costs not paid by Medicare.

Filed under: General-Medicare

Tags: General-Medicare, medicaid, medical costs, Medical savings