Every state has its own Medicaid program. The information that is easily accessible on the Medicaid website for a given state can vary. Some give all the vital information, and others withhold it. New York does a good job of giving basic information about their state’s Medicaid program.
Medicaid is a public, or government run, form of health insurance. It is designed to provide health insurance coverage for individuals and families who are low income and who cannot afford to purchase a health plan from a private insurance company. Medicaid is partially funded by the federal government. It is also funded by the government of an individual state.
In New York, the Medicaid program is administered by the New York State Department of Health. The website says: “Information for a Healthy New York.” Basic information about the Medicaid program can be easily found on the New York Medicaid website.
You might qualify for Medicaid if you have high medical bills. Or, you could qualify if you are currently receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Another way to qualify is if you meet certain financial requirements. You can use the Public Health Insurance Eligibility Screening Tool to learn if you are eligible for Medicaid, Child Health Plus, or Family Health Plus.
You need to provide proof of many things when you apply for Medicaid. United States citizens need to provide a valid Social Security number (SSN). A birth certificate will provide proof of your age. Non-citizens need to provide proof of citizenship or immigration status. Bring four weeks of recent paycheck stubs. Bring proof of income from Social Security Benefits, SSI, Veteran’s Benefits, retirement benefits, Unemployment Insurance Benefits, and Child Support Payments.
Provide information on bank accounts of anyone who lives with you that is age 65 or older, or who is certified blind or disabled. You must be able to provide proof of where you live. A mortgage statement, landlord statement, or an envelope from mail you recently received will work.
Medicaid in New York covers a lot of things, but it does not cover everything. Some of the things it will cover include: smoking cessation programs, treatment and preventative health and dental care, hospital inpatient and outpatient services, labs and x-rays, and nursing home care. It also covers treatment in psychiatric hospitals for people under 21 or older than 65, mental health facilities, family planning services, medicine, prenatal care, some insurance and Medicare premiums, and other health services.
Some of the Medicaid services require co-payments. The exact cost varies. Clinic visits cost $3.00. Lab tests are $0.50 per procedure. Pharmacy prescription drugs cost $3.00 for brand name drugs and $1.00 for generic. Inpatient hospital stays cost $25.00 as a co-pay.
Image by Norman B. Leventhal Map Center at the BPL on Flickr