Each and every state has their own Medicaid program. Details of the program in one state may differ from what is offered in the Medicaid program of another state. In Michigan, the Medicaid program is administered by the Michigan Department of Community Health.
Medicaid is a public, or government run, health insurance program. It is designed to cover individuals and families who are low-income and who cannot afford to purchase health insurance coverage from a private insurance company. Funding for the Medicaid program comes from both the federal government and from the government of an individual state.
In Michigan, the Medicaid program is administered by the Michigan Department of Community Health. The Medicaid program covers adults, children and teenagers, and seniors. There are portions of the program that over pregnant women and people who have disabilities.
The individual parts of the Medicaid program in Michigan have slightly different eligibility requirements. The state’s website says: “The goal of these health care programs is to ensure that essential health care services are made available to those who otherwise do not have the financial resources to purchase them”.
It also says that the applicant’s citizenship status may be taken into consideration. There are also income limitations that must be met. People who are over the income limitations might be eligible for the spend-down portion of the Medicaid program.
Adults in Michigan who want to be covered by Medicaid must fit into one of the following groups. The person can be an eligible parent, (or person acting as a parent) who is caring for a dependent child. Adults who are blind, aged, or disabled can also qualify. People who are already receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) can qualify.
There is also an Adults Benefits Waiver (ABW), which is also called the Adult Medical Program (AMP). It provides basic medical care to low-income childless adults who do not qualify for the Medicaid. The medical coverage is limited, but pharmacy coverage is included.
In some cases, entire families might be eligible for health care coverage through Medicaid. One of these programs is called Low Income Families (LIF). This is for families who pass income and asset tests, and who are low-income. Families that are receiving cash assistance through the Family Independence Program, (FIP) are automatically eligible for this program.
There is also a Special N Support program that is available to low-income families that were once eligible for LIF or FIP, but who no longer qualify because of income from child support payments. This gives eligible families a comprehensive package of health benefits including vision, dental, and mental health services.
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