How to Place Elderly on Medicaid

It is important to note that Medicare and Medicaid are two separate programs. Medicaid serves the impoverished and/or disabled, and Medicare serves the Aged, over 65. A person may qualify for both. Services that are covered by both programs will be paid first by Medicare and the difference by Medicaid, up to the state's payment limit. Medicaid covers additional services over Medicare (e.g., nursing facility care beyond the 100 day limit covered by Medicare, prescription drugs, eyeglasses, and hearing aids).

Things You'll Need

• Proof of identity (a Passport),
• Proof of residence (a lease, utility bills),
• Proof of income (pay stubs, or bank statements),
• Proof of assets (bank account statements, car title)
• and likely your medical bills.

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Instructions

Applying for Medicaid

• 1

  To apply for Medicaid a person must apply on the State level. State administrative branches differ in names, from The Department of Economic Security to The Division of Aging and Disabled, among others. For a listing of the Medicaid Providers in your State visit: healthsymphony.com/medicaid.htm. If the individual in need cannot fill out their application on his/her own, a guardian, friend, or relative can assist them, or a Medicaid officer can assist them a the designated office.

  To learn about eligibility for Medicaid or many other government programs, such as Social Security, visit govbenefits.gov..

• 2

  Fill out the forms your Medicaid representative gives you. If you require assistance or have a questions contact a Medicaid representative. In some cases there are social workers available to assist seniors and their family members to fill out or understand Medicaid forms.

• 3

  Provide necessary copies or original documents as requested by your Medicaid representative. Either do this in person at a designated office, or through the US postal service.

• 4

  Wait 1-3 months for approval.

• 5

  Review your Medicaid coverage. The Kaiser Family Foundation offers a good outline to the program. You can find them at: kff.org. You'll find Medicaid coverage differing from State to State, as a State may choose to offer additional services. Below is a listing of some of Medicaid services. Included in your benefit package are up to date listings of specific Medicaid services in your state.

  Acute Care Services
  · Clinic Services, by an organized facility or clinic not part of a hospital
  · Clinic Services, by an organized facility or clinic not part of a hospital
  · Inpatient Hospital Services, other than in an Institution for Mental Diseases
  · Outpatient Hospital Services
  · Rehabilitation Services: Mental Health and Substance Abuse
  · Rural Health Clinic Services

  Practitioner Services
  · Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Services
  · Chiropractic
  · Dental
  · Medical and Remedial Care - Other Practitioners
  · Medical/Surgical Services of a Dentist
  · Nurse Midwife Services
  · Nurse Practitioner Services
  · Optometrist Services
  · Physician Services
  · Podiatrist Services
  · Psychologist Services

  Prescription Drugs
  · Prescription Drugs

  Physical Therapy and Other Services
  · Occupational Therapy Services
  · Physical Therapy Services
  · Services for Speech, Hearing and Language Disorders

  Products and Devices
  · Dentures
  · Eyeglasses
  · Hearing Aids
  · Medical Equipment and Supplies
  · Prosthetic and Orthotic Devices

  Transportation Services
  · Ambulance Services
  · Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Services

  Other Services
  · Diagnostic, Screening and Preventive Services
  · Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment
  · Extended Services for Pregnant Women
  · Family Planning Services
  · Laboratory and X-Ray Services, outside Hospital or Clinic
  · Targeted Case Management

  Long-Term Care Services
  Community Based Care
  · Home Health Services, includes nursing services
  · Hospice Care
  · Personal Care Services
  · Private Duty Nursing Services
  · Home and Community Based Services Waiver
  · Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly

  Institutional Care
  · Inpatient Psychiatric Services, under age 21
  · Inpatient Hospital, Nursing Facility and Intermediate Care Facility Services
  · Intermediate Care Facility Services for the Mentally Retarded
  · Nursing Facility Services, other than in an Institution for Mental Diseases
  · Religious Non-Medical Health Care Institution and Practitioner Services