| Medicaid is a type of medical and dental insurance | | | | eligibility guidelines for it are determined by each |
| that is available for those that don't have the | | | | state. This is why you will need to contact your |
| income to pay for such insurance on their own. | | | | local department of human services to apply for |
| Medicaid is a government program and the exact | | | | it. Most states have the locations divided up by |
| requirements for it can be different in each state. | | | | counties so you will also need to make sure you |
| There will be an application that has to be | | | | contact the one in the area where you reside. |
| completed as well as verification of income and | | | | You can call for an application to be mailed to you |
| resources. There is an income guideline that is | | | | or pick one up at their office. You may find local |
| based on the total number of people that reside | | | | doctor's offices, clinics, and hospitals also have the |
| in the household. | | | | applications available. |
| In most states, Medicaid is only available for | | | | It is very important to complete all of the |
| children under the age of 18 that meet the | | | | information on the application for Medicaid |
| eligibility criteria. They must also be legal citizens of | | | | completely. Failure to do so can delay the |
| the United States. Many states also offer Medicaid | | | | processing of your application and it can also |
| for pregnant women so that they can get the | | | | result in it being denied. You will be asked to |
| prenatal care that they need. Their child will | | | | provide information on each member in your |
| automatically be eligible for Medicaid until they turn | | | | household. You will need to provide birth |
| one year of age. Some states also have Medicaid | | | | certificates, social security cards, and often |
| for those that are disabled and the elderly but it | | | | immunization records for all household members. |
| depends on how their regulations are written. | | | | You will also need to provide information relating |
| If you don't have medical or dental insurance you | | | | to income and resources in the household. Make |
| should find out if you and your family qualify for | | | | sure you make copies of pay stubs, vehicle |
| Medicaid. In some states you can qualify even if | | | | registrations, and checking or savings accounts. All |
| you have other forms of insurance. The Medicaid | | | | of this information is needed in order to |
| will be a backup resource and can only be | | | | determine eligibility. You may be able to apply for |
| accessed when there are expenses the other | | | | back dated Medicaid to cover the three months |
| insurance won't pay or co-pays. | | | | prior to the date you turn in your application. You |
| Not all doctors and medical facilities are willing to | | | | will need to submit income for that period of time |
| take Medicaid though. This can be frustrating | | | | as well as copies of medical bills. |
| when you find that you have been approved for | | | | Make sure you are very honest with the |
| program yet you can't find someone that will take | | | | information you provide on a Medicaid application. |
| it. Some states offer an 800 number you can call | | | | If you are found to have intentionally falsified |
| to find Medicaid providers in your area. Keep in | | | | information in order to be eligible you can face |
| mind though that most of them only allocate a | | | | criminal charges. This can result in a fine and jail |
| certain amount of slots for patients with this type | | | | time. If you received coverage of Medicaid |
| of coverage. | | | | benefits fraudulently you will also need to repay |
| The goal of Medicaid programs is to ensure | | | | those expenses. |
| individuals have a resource to help them get the | | | | The application process for Medicaid can be |
| medical and dental care they need. Too many | | | | confusing at times. If you need assistance, |
| people don't seek medical attention when they | | | | contact your local department of human services. |
| need to due to not being able to pay for it. While | | | | They can help you to schedule an appointment |
| there are still some kinks in the system that have | | | | for you to go over it with someone. If you get a |
| to be worked out, it is a very beneficial program. | | | | letter from them asking for more information to |
| More providers are added all the time to help | | | | complete your eligibility make sure you comply as |
| ensure those with Medicaid can get services. | | | | quickly as possible with getting them that |
| Although Medicaid is a Federal program, the | | | | necessary information. |