Together with the Children’s Health Insurance Program, Medicaid provides health coverage to more than 72.5 million people across the United States. These people include seniors, children, pregnant women, and individuals with disabilities. As such, there’s no reason for you to walk alone on the path toward better health. If you have concerns about the health coverage program, just ask.
From Medicaid, in a nutshell, to eligibility requirements for Utah residents, here are the answers to your most common questions about the healthcare program:
What Exactly Is Medicaid All About?
Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that provides free or low-cost health coverage to the elderly, people with disabilities, families and children, pregnant women, and some low-income individuals. Ultimately, coverage depends on each state’s arrangement.
In Utah, Medicaid covers a comprehensive range of medical benefits and mental health services.
Medical benefits include home health, hospice, hospital, and nursing home care. It includes birth control, lab and x-ray, medical supplies, over-the-counter drugs, and prescriptions. It also includes ambulance service, case management, chiropractic, maternity and midwife services, personal care, physical and occupational therapy, speech and hearing therapy, vision treatment, and waiver programs.
Mental health services include psychological testing, evaluations, case management, and medication management. It includes individual and group therapy, psychosocial rehabilitation, psycho-educational services, and personal services. It also includes inpatient services and transportation to appointments.
On a related note, Medicaid in Utah covers dental benefits for qualified members who are pregnant, live with a disability, or qualify for Child Health Evaluation and Care. Meanwhile, emergency care is available when the patient’s health is in jeopardy. It is also available for patients experiencing serious impairment of bodily functions or severe dysfunction of any body part or bodily organ.
Medicaid benefits in Utah may change at any time. Some benefits or services may be removed, while new ones might be added. For this reason, check with your local Medicaid agent whether the benefit you need is currently available.
Do You Qualify for Medicaid?
Children, pregnant women, women with breast or cervical cancer, visually impaired individuals, disabled individuals, parents or caretakers, the elderly, and refugees — the joint federal and state program is available for any of these individuals who have a low income and limited resources. However, your eligibility depends on whether you meet a program type. It also depends on whether you meet the rules for residency, income, and citizenship.
Moreover, if you seek continued Medicaid coverage, you have to qualify every month. Depending on which category you fall under, the monthly income standard ranges from 55 percent to 133 percent of the Federal Poverty Level. If you have questions about the eligibility guidelines or qualifications for Medicaid or related medical assistance programs, your local agent will gladly help you out.
Why Wait Any Longer?
You may have modest savings, now. But why wait until you get sick or require long-term care before you start worrying about free or low-cost health coverage? Many people throughout Utah and around the country are in a similar situation, so Medicaid provides solutions that lead Americans to a healthy path.
You can save on thousands of dollars in the future when you secure your health coverage, today. So if you have clarification or unique concerns regarding health care coverage, feel free to get in touch with a Medicaid professional who will walk with you on the road to health.