Medicaid

Medicaid is a United States program for individuals and families with low incomes. If you cannot afford the price of health insurance coverage, Medicaid can make it possible to get care at an affordable price. It provides a chance for people who do not have the resources to pay for the medical services they may need. Medicaid is funded at both the state and federal level, but managed on a state by state basis. Each state has its own rules on the amount of coverage a person receives, as well as if they are required to pay a co-payment for certain medical services. Medicaid does not provide you with money, but does make payments to health care providers on your behalf.

Unlike Medicare, which is strictly a federal plan and focused on the senior population, Medicaid provides coverage to a wide range of people. Eligibility is focused on income, but also takes into account several factors including your age, disabilities, if you are pregnant, blind, personal assets, and if you are a US citizen. There are special regulations for individuals who currently live in nursing homes and for disabled children. If you're looking for how to apply for Medicaid, click the link.

If you qualify for Medicaid, coverage starts immediately and can even retroactively cover the three previous months to applying. However, this only applies if the individual would have been eligible during the retroactive period. Medicaid coverage stops the month in which the individual's circumstances have changed (meaning they are no longer eligible for Medicaid by their state guidelines).