Medicaid

How to get medical treatment even if you can't afford it.

Because Medicare and Medicaid are often mentioned together when the media discusses government health care programs, many people believe that the two programs are the same. In fact, Medicaid is a program administered by the states in order to help with little or no income or other resources obtain medical care, no matter what their age.

While some of the funding for Medicaid comes from the federal government, other funding comes from state budgets, and each state sets its own rules about Medicaid eligibility and the services provided to Medicaid recipients, although these rules must be in accordance with federally established guidelines. Under these guidelines, all state Medicaid programs must cover at least the following services:

• inpatient and outpatient hospital services

• laboratory, x-ray, and family planning services and supplies

• physician and nurse-midwife services

• rural health clinic services

• periodic screening, diagnosis and treatment for those under 21, and skilled nursing facilities and home health services for those 21 and over.

Most Medicaid programs also pay for other kinds of services, such as long term psychiatric care, dental care, prescriptions, and nursing home care for the elderly.

In general, Medicaid is available to any person over age 65 who are blind or disabled, or who is a member of a family with children which is deprived of the support of at least one parent, and whose income and other resources are very low. Just how low varies from state to state, and each state may adjust this figure from time to time. In addition, other eligibility requirements vary among the states. As a result, it's virtually impossible to discuss each state's requirements in detail here.

To find out if you are eligible for Medicaid in your state and to apply for assistance, you should contact your state's Medicaid office. Depending on the state in which you live, the Medicaid program may be administered by the Public Welfare Department, the Department of Welfare, or the Office of Social Services. You can find out exactly where to go for more information by contacting your state representative, or by calling the general information number for your state government, located in your state's capital city.