Wyoming, like all other states, has a Medicaid program. Some states simply refer to the program as Medicaid, and others attached a unique name to it. In Wyoming, the Medicaid program is called EqualityCare.
Medicaid is a public, or government run, form of health insurance. It is designed to help people who are low-income, and who cannot afford to purchase a private health insurance plan, to find affordable health insurance coverage.
In Wyoming, the Medicaid program is also called EqualityCare. It is administered through the Wyoming Department of Health. Their website says “Welcome to Medicaid”. Under that header, it says: “Medicaid is a joint federal and state government program that pays for medical care for some low income and medically needy individuals and families”.
EqualityCare, or Medicaid, in Wyoming has different parts within it. Each is designed to help a specific population. The website notes that “federal regulations define more than 50 groups of individuals that may qualify for Medicaid coverage”. In order to be eligible for Medicaid, you must fit into one of these groups. More specifically, Medicaid in Wyoming includes “Families and Children” or “Aged, Blind or Disabled”.
Eligibility is also based on family income and family structure. A person’s resources or healthcare needs may also be taken into consideration. Financial eligibility is based on the Federal Poverty Level or the Supplemental Security Income standard.
In order to be eligible for Medicaid in Wyoming, you must be a resident of Wyoming. This means that you must live in the state of Wyoming, or that you plan to be living within the state within 45 days of applying for Medicaid. You cannot transfer the Medicaid that you received in another state to Wyoming. It doesn’t work that way.
You must have a Social Security number in order to be considered eligible for Medicaid in Wyoming. If you don’t have one, you can still apply for Medicaid. Just leave the field on the form that asks about your Social Security number blank. Next, go apply for a Social Security number through the Social Security Administration.
People in Wyoming who are eligible for Medicaid will receive Medicaid services at no cost. There are exceptions to this, however. Adults who are age 21 and over, who are not pregnant, may have to pay a small co-payment for medical services, or for treatment that is not related to a pregnancy.
People who receive EID, the Employed Individuals with Disabilities program will have to pay a monthly premium for Medicaid. People who are in a long-term care facility, and who receive Medicaid, will have to contribute to the cost of their care. Those who are in an Assisted Living Facility, and who receive Medicaid, will have to pay for room and board.
The Wyoming Medicaid program can be used to help a person pay for their Medicare expenses. It is also possible for a person to be covered by a private health insurance policy and to also qualify for Medicaid at the same time.
Image by Sebastian Bergmann on Flickr