Medicaid Benefits

Medicaid is a state and federally funded health care insurance program for low-income individuals and families as well as those that can demonstrate need. To be eligible for Medicaid benefits, you need to fall into one of over 25 different eligibility categories.

In this publication we're going to provide a quick introduction to the Medicaid program.  That discussion will include eligibility requirements, the application process, as well as the types of health care benefits that Medicaid has to offer.  Then we will finish up with a quick overview of how your out of pocket costs are might be administered by these plans.

As you're reading through this material, it's important to remember that certain local level programs may be called by a name other than Medicaid.  For example, the California Medicaid program is named MediCal, while in Georgia it's called Georgia Better.

Medicaid Eligibility

Generally, there are 25 different eligibility categories that can be classified into five broad coverage groups that include children, pregnant women with children, adults with dependent children, individuals over age 65, and those with disabilities.

Medicaid eligibility will differ from state to state, but individuals are eligible as a member of a mandatory or optional group as outlined below.  All states are required to cover mandatory groups, but individual states can choose whether to cover groups categorized as optionally eligible.

Mandatory Medicaid Groups

Mandatory groups include low-income families with dependent children and pregnant women and children with income levels that are below established federal poverty levels.  In addition, certain low income Medicare beneficiaries may also be eligible for Medicaid.

Optionally Eligible Medicaid Groups

Unfortunately, the Medicaid optionally-eligible Medicaid beneficiaries will vary from state to state.  Individual states can use their discretion to provide benefits for some optionally eligible groups.  For example, individuals who would be eligible for Supplemental Security Income if they were not in medical institutions or individuals receiving only state supplemental payments.

For more complete information on applying for Medicaid or the eligibility, we've got complete contact information for Medicaid Applications for each state or you can visit the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid website.

Finally if you believe you're eligible but you've been denied Medicaid for any reason, you can appeal the eligibility determination.  The appeal information will be printed on the eligibility notice you will receive in the mail.

Applying for Medicaid

You apply for Medicaid through a local office run by your state government.  That office is responsible for processing Medicaid applications and they are the contact responsible for answering any questions you might have about their particular program.

Although processing a Medicaid application can take time, states are required to complete a standard Medicaid application within 45 days.  If the application is based on a disability, the state has a right to process that application in 90 days.  One of the most common reasons for the denial of Medicaid benefits has to do with incomplete applications.  Make sure all the required documentation accompanies the form and the required sections of the form are completed.

Medicare and Medicaid

If you're a Medicare recipient, then under some circumstances, Medicaid will pay for your Medicare premiums, deductibles and coinsurance.  You may also be eligible for the payment of Medicare related expenses if your income is greater than 100%, but less than 120% of the poverty level.  Again, you need to check with your state run program for the exact eligibility rules.

If you're a disabled individual, then Medicaid will pay for your Medicare Part A premiums if you've lost your Medicare coverage because of work.  You must have income below 200% of the poverty level and resources that are no more than twice the standard allowed under Supplemental Security Income.

Health Care Help through Medicaid

In order for state run programs to be eligible to receive federal matching funds, there are certain basic services that must be offered to categorically needy populations. The health care help available through this program must include service such as:

• Inpatient and outpatient hospital services
• Payment of physician services
• Surgical and medical dental services
• Nursing facility (NF) services for individuals aged 21 or older
• Home health care for persons that are eligible for nursing facility services
• Family planning services and supplies
• Nurse / midwife services
• Laboratory services and X-rays
• Pediatric and those services provided by a family nurse practitioner
• Federally-qualified health center services and ambulatory services that are otherwise covered under a state plan
• Rural health clinic services and other ambulatory services that are otherwise covered under a state plan

The most commonly covered health care services under an optionally eligible Medicaid program include:

• Services provided by clinics
• Prescription drugs (for more information please see Medicare Part D)
• Prosthetic devices
• Dental insurance
• Services of an optometrist including eyeglasses
• Nursing facility services for individuals under age 21
• Intermediate care facilities and other services for the mentally retarded

States may also provide home or community-based care waiver services to certain individuals who are eligible for Medicaid. Such services can include case management, personal care services, respite care, adult day health services, and home health aides.

Duration of Medicaid Benefits

Individual states determine both the amount and duration of Medicaid benefits offered under their programs.  Generally, federal guidelines require that the amount, duration, and scope of each service be sufficient to reasonably achieve its purpose.  States are responsible for placing appropriate limits on Medicaid services based on medical necessity and other types of controls.

Usually, Medicaid beneficiaries are allowed to choose among participating health care providers.  States may also elect to run their programs through prepayment arrangements such as a health maintenance organization or HMO.  You should check with your local Medicaid office about HMOs or Medicaid Health Maintenance Organizations in your state and the possible access to expanded benefits under those arrangements.

Payment of Medicaid Benefits

Medicaid is operated as a vendor payment program.  That means payments are made directly to participating health care providers.  These providers are required to accept Medicaid reimbursements as payments in full.

States are allowed to charge small deductibles, coinsurance and copayments to certain Medicaid recipients and for certain services.  However, states are not allowed to charge copayments for emergency care and family planning services.  In addition, pregnant women, children under age 18, hospital or nursing home patients who are expected to contribute most of their income to institutional care, and categorically needy HMO enrollees are also exempt from copayments.

Caps on Medicaid Benefits

Finally, the total amount of federal payments for Medicaid services does not have a preset limit or cap.  The federal government must match whatever an individual state is willing to provide its constituents.  The only requirement is that the reimbursement rates to providers must be sufficient to attract enough providers so that Medicaid benefits and services are available under the plan and services are available to the qualifying population in that particular state.

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