Medicaid Qualifications - What Are The Conditions To Qualify For Medicaid?
One of the questions that many people find themselves asking later
on in life is whether or not they will be able to qualify for Medicaid.
This government funded health program is a good resource for people
with low or fixed incomes, but all the rules and regulations can
be mystifying. Going through paperwork, federal websites, and other
resources is difficult and slow. Because many people don't know
how to find out if they qualify for Medicaid, they assume they
will not be eligible, and miss out on the ways it can help them.
Medicaid is the single largest source of funding available for
medical and health services to people with a limited income, and
they should take advantage of it if they are at all eligible. In
recent years, Medicaid provided health care services to more than
40 million Americans. Payments from Medicaid assist nearly 60 percent
of all nursing home residents, and nearly 40 percent of childbirths.
Following are some of the requirements and qualifications to take
part in Medicaid.
Each state operates its own Medicaid program which conforms to
the federal guidelines for the system. The federal government matches
funds and gives grants to states according to their funding. The
wealthiest states receive 50% matching funds, whereas poorer states
get more. This means that the specifics of qualifying for Medicaid
will be different, depending on where you live. Some things are
universal, however.
Medicaid is available only to people with limited income. You
must be within a qualifying income category to be eligible for
help. This amount varies by state, but is usually below the federal
poverty line. Merely being poor isn't enough to get you Medicaid
assistance by itself, however. The system does not provide benefits
for impoverished adults alone. If, however, you are disabled, have
children, or are elderly, meeting the income requirements will
allow you to be eligible for this kind of assistance. Pregnant
women are also eligible to receive Medicaid benefits if they meet
the income requirement.
The best way to find out if you meet your state's eligibility
requirements is to ask at the Medicaid office. You will be given
information about how to qualify, and be able to fill out an application
there. Many states will also require entrance interviews, to prevent
fraud. However, these are becoming less frequently required, and
your state may have recently removed the need to have an interview
before getting coverage. If you qualify for Medicaid, you may be
able to have coverage occur retroactively, up to three months prior
to application, if you would have been eligible at that time. This
means that you have a chance of receiving recompense for medical
procedures which occurred before you apply for Medicaid.
If you're elderly and on a low income, there is a very good chance
that you could qualify for Medicaid. Try visiting or calling your
local Medicaid office, or looking at your state's website for Medicaid
services to find out exactly what the qualifications are in your
state. Medicaid can be a great help if you don't have much money
to stretch for your medical expenses. Everyone who is eligible
should try to be covered by this program.