What does Medicaid cover?
March 12, 2013
The benefits covered for adults through Medicaid are different in each state, but certain benefits are covered in every Medicaid program.
Doctor’s services that are covered by Medicaid include:
- Laboratory and X-ray services
- Inpatient hospital services
- Outpatient hospital services
- Health screenings for children and treatment if medical problems are identified
- Comprehensive dental and vision services for children
- Family planning services and supplies
- Long-term care services and supports
- Medical and surgical dental services for adults
- Pediatric and family nurse practitioner services
- Services provided in health clinics
- Nurse-midwife services
- Nursing facility services for adults
- Home health care services for certain people
- Prescription drugs
Other benefits your state must cover for children and may cover for adults:
- Physical, occupational, or speech therapy
- Eye doctor visits, eyeglasses
- Audiology, hearing aids
- Prosthetic devices
- Mental health services
- Respite and other in-home long-term care
- Case management
- Personal care services
- Hospice services
The Affordable Care Act will expand options for community-based care. There will be more opportunities for people of all ages who have a disability to get help with daily activities while remaining in their homes. The Medicaid program continues to move toward providing more community-based care options as an alternative to nursing homes.
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To qualify for Social Security disability benefits, you must first have worked in jobs covered by Social Security. Then you must have a medical condition that meets Social Security’s definition of disability. In general, we pay monthly cash benefits to people who are unable to work for a year or more because of a disability.
Benefits usually continue until you are able to work again on a regular basis. There are also a number of special rules, called “work incentives,” that provide continued benefits and health care coverage to help you make the transition back to work.
If you are receiving Social Security disability benefits when you reach full retirement age, your disability benefits automatically convert to retirement benefits, but the amount remains the same.
According to HSS.Gov – You may qualify for free or low-cost care through Medicaid based on income and family size. Some states have expanded Medicaid to cover more people because of the Affordable Care Act.
In all states, Medicaid provides health coverage for some low-income people, families and children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with disabilities. In some states the program covers all low-income adults below a certain income level. https://www.hhs.gov/answers/medicare-and-medicaid/who-is-eligible-for-medicaid/index.html
First, find out if your state is expanding Medicaid and learn what that means for you.
If your state is expanding Medicaid, use this chart to see what you may qualify for based on your income and family size.
Even if you were told you didn’t qualify for Medicaid in the past, you may qualify under the new rules. You can see if you qualify for Medicaid 2 ways:
Visit your state’s Medicaid website. Use the drop-down menu at the top of this page to pick your state. You can apply right now and find out if you qualify. If you qualify, coverage can begin immediately.
Fill out an application in the Health Insurance Marketplace. When you finish the application, we’ll tell you which programs you and your family qualify for. If it looks like anyone is eligible for Medicaid and/or CHIP, we’ll let the state agency know so you can enroll.