Medicaid Benefits for Single Individuals

Medicaid provides insurance coverage for children and retirees in the United States. Its benefits vary slightly by state, though its eligibility requirements are federally mandated, allowing each person who meets the criteria the right to enroll in this insurance plan. An individual may enroll in Medicaid as long as he or she meets certain age and financial criteria, but a person's marital status will in no way truncate his or her benefits.

Institutional and Clinical Services

• Medicaid covers all clinical, outpatient hospital, rehabilitation, and rural health clinic services, with the covered individual paying $3 out of pocket at the time of the visit, as of April 2010. Services are limited to 10 visits a year, however individuals may still schedule more doctor visits as needed, paying the total cost of the visit. Additionally, Medicaid provides each member up to 40 visits per calender year with a mental health clinic at the previously mentioned copay.

Prescription Drugs

• Prescription drugs are covered under Medicaid for individuals with several rules. Patients will pay $1 for generic brand prescriptions, as of early 2010, and must take the generic over brand label drugs whenever it is available. The copay for name-brand prescriptions drugs with Medicaid is $3. Patients are limited to 40 covered prescriptions a year through this insurance program, and must pay the full cost for prescriptions beyond this number.

Long-Term Care

• Medicaid-insured patients requiring long-term care are eligible to receive several covered services. Home health services such as nursing care are covered with a maximum 40 visits per year, and must be in lieu of hospitalization. Private nursing is available only if home health agency care is not available or is deemed not cost effective. Additionally, benefits are extended to individuals requiring long-term care as an in-patient in an intermediate care facility or hospital if the patient is 65 years or older.