Medicaid
Medicaid is a state- and federally-funded government health program for people with lower incomes, elderly people, people with disabilities, and some families with children. Individual states administer their own Medicaid programs, and recipients must be American citizens or legal permanent residents.
While each state has its own eligibility requirements for Medicaid, by 2014 most adults under 65 with yearly individual incomes up to about $15,000 will qualify in every state.
Currently, many people with disabilities qualify for Medicaid in every state. In some states, qualification for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits automatically qualifies an individual for Medicaid. In other states, income and assets are examined to determine whether a disabled individual qualifies for Medicaid.
To be eligible for Medicaid, it is necessary to fall within a Medicaid eligibility group category. The key eligibility categories include the elderly, the physically disabled, the mentally disabled, severely disabled children, low income adults, and low income children.
Expansion of Medicaid in 2014 will help low income adults who have disabilities that do not qualify them for Supplemental Security Income. Medicaid expansion is also expected to benefit disabled persons whose income exceeds their states’ limits for Medicaid eligibility.
Currently, every state offers health coverage for low income children through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). To learn more about the CHIP program and coverage for children, visit InsureKidsNow.gov.
Although Medicaid cost sharing varies from state to state, Medicare is designed to be affordable in all parts of the country. To learn more about Medicaid cost sharing requirements and programs in your state, visit Medicaid.gov and select your state in the “State Profiles” box on the right. You’ll be linked to your state’s Medicaid page, which can help answer any questions about Medicaid costs and options in your state.
Dual Eligibility
Some people are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid. In such cases, Medicare is the primary payer. Many Medicare dual eligible individuals find that Medicare Advantage plans are the best option for maximizing their coverage.
For further information about Original Medicare, Medicare supplement plans, Medicare Advantage, and all your best healthcare options, why not give MedicareMall a call today?
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Medicare vs Medicaid—What They’re All About© 2013 MedicareMall.com
You may already have employer or union coverage that may pay costs that Original Medicare doesn’t. If not, you may want to buy a Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policy .