Benefits Covered by Medicaid

President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Medicare and Medicaid programs into law on July 30, 1965. Since then, federal and state sources have funded Medicaid programs across the country to provide health care services to families in need. Contact your local department of social services to find out if you're eligible for Medicaid benefits. Benefits vary by state, though all states that receive federal Medicaid funding must offer certain core hospital, practitioner and nursing home services.

Hospital Benefits

• Medicaid assists both inpatients and outpatients.

  Across all U.S. states, Medicaid covers inpatient and outpatient services rendered by approved hospitals. For inpatients, these services include bedding, boarding and nursing services, as well as ambulance transportation and the use of hospital facilities, equipment and appliances. Outpatient services covered by Medicaid benefits include precautionary, diagnostic, curative, rehabilitative and palliative services. Approved physicians oversee these services in the hospital. Medicaid also covers minor surgeries, vaccinations for juveniles, family planning services and renal dialysis.

Practitioner Benefits

• Consult your family doctor to find out if she accepts Medicaid benefits.

  Medicaid benefits commonly cover services from approved family general practitioners and pediatricians. Nurse and midwife services are also covered by Medicaid benefits. Depending on the state, Medicaid coverage extends to specialized practitioner services. These services include certified registered nurse anesthetist services, chiropractor services, dental services, nurse practitioner services and services from optometrists, podiatrists and psychologists.

Nursing Home and Physical Therapy Benefits

• Medicaid provides skilled nursing home services across all states, as long as the service comes from Medicaid-approved nursing homes. These benefits also cover home health care for eligible individuals. For young and old alike, some state Medicaid programs encompass occupational therapy services, physical therapy services and services for speech, hearing and language disorders. Depending on the state, Medicare benefits might include diagnostic services or intermediary care facilities for the mentally retarded.

Laboratory and Other Benefits

• Some state Medicaid programs help ease the cost of prescription drugs.

  As a universal benefit, Medicaid programs throughout the country cover laboratory and x-ray services. Some state Medicaid programs assist low-income families with the cost of prescription drugs while others cover medical products and devices like spectacles, dentures, hearing aids and prosthetic or orthotic devices. Other optional Medicaid benefits include preventative services, extended services for pregnant women and targeted case management programs.