Every state has a Medicaid program. Some states simply call it Medicaid, while others give it a friendlier name. In Vermont, the Medicaid program is called Green Mountain Care. Clearly, the name of the Medicaid program came from the state of Vermont’s nickname.
Medicaid is a public, or government run, form of health insurance. It is designed to provide health insurance for individuals and families who are low income and who cannot afford to purchase a health plan from a private insurance company. Medicaid is funded, in part, by the federal government. It is also funded by the government of an individual state.
In Vermont, the Medicaid program is called Green Mountain Care. It is administered by the Vermont Department of Health Access. The official state website says: “Green Mountain Care – A Healthier State of Living”.
To be eligible for Medicaid in Vermont, a person has to fit into one of the following categories. The person must be a child from a low-income family, or a young adult who is under the age of 21. Pregnant women can qualify. So can caretaker relatives, people who are blind, people who are disabled, or people who are age 65 or older.
You can apply for Medicaid online. Applying will allow the state of Vermont to screen you for the health care plan that you are eligible for. It will also let you know if you are eligible for other benefits, like Fuel Assistance, or 3SquaresVT (which is the state’s food stamp program). If you prefer, you can print out a paper application and mail it in.
Eligibility is based on your income and resources. Resources could include cash, bank accounts, and more. The amount of people who live in the person’s household are also taken into account. It is possible for a person to be eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare at the same time.
The Vermont website gives a brief explanation of the types of health care that may be covered through Green Mountain Care. It can cover doctor visits, hospital care, prescription medicines, vision and dental care, long-term care, physical therapy, and more.
People covered by Medicaid may be required to pay co-payments for outpatient visits, prescription medicines, or dental visits. Some groups will never be required to pay co-payments for health care services. Those groups are: people who are under the age of 21, women who are pregnant, women who are in the 60 day post-pregnancy period, and people who are in nursing facilities.
Image by BrianSwan on Flickr