Medicaid and Eligibility for the Disabled
Medicaid and Eligibility for the Disabled
Many jobs provide medical benefits to employees, but what about those who cannot work do to get coverage? Many people are unaware of their eligibility for Medicaid insurance, especially those who are unemployable due to a disability. Thankfully in most states, applying for Medicaid and meeting eligibility requirements is simple. To find out more about the program and if you or a loved one are eligible, please read on!
What is Medicaid and Who is Eligible?
Medicaid is a health insurance program jointly funded by the state and federal government, for individuals who meet specific eligibility requirements. Under federal law, states are required to provide these programs to specified groups of people, but the states have the ability to offer coverage to certain additional groups, as well as enact their own eligibility requirements. For example, low-income families, seniors, qualified pregnant women, children and people with disabilities are a few groups eligible for these programs. One of the primary groups specified under this federal law are those with disabilities. In fact, most states will automatically provide Medicaid coverage to those who are approved for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). In addition, often times the Social Security Administration will take care of the Medicaid application process when approving SSI eligibility. However, there are ten states that have decided to utilize section 209(b) of the Social Security Amendments of 1972, in order to create their own eligibility criteria. These ten states include Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Virginia. For additional information on eligibility and enrollment strategies please follow the link or you can contact the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) toll free at (877) 267-2323.What Benefits can Medicaid Provide?
Depending on your home state your Medicaid benefits can vary. The federal government has set mandatory benefits the state must provide under Medicaid but there are also optional benefits they may choose to offer. The mandatory benefits include but are not limited to inpatient and outpatient hospital services, physician services, laboratory and x-ray services, and home health services. The optional benefits include prescription drugs, case management, physical therapy, and occupational therapy. Please follow the link attached for a complete list of all mandatory and optional benefits!What happens if I am Denied?
Where denials are rare for those with unemployable disabilities, it does happen and there a few things you should be aware of when applying. First, the response time for approvals or denials can vary based upon your reason for applying. If it is due to a disability, the response can take up to 90 days from the application date. On the other hand, if applying on another basis the response time will be cut in half to 45 days. Secondly, if denied you will always have the right to a hearing where you can appeal the decision and state your case for why you should be approved. The way to request an appeal varies depending on the state, some require you submit the request in writing while others do not. According to an article by NOLO, “even if you are not required to file a written notice, you should. You can write a simple appeal request like ‘I want to appeal the denial notice dated 8/1/12.’ If possible, submit your request in person at your local state Medicaid agency office, and have it date stamped to show that it was received by the deadline”. Doing this will give you written confirmation that your appeal was filed correctly and before the deadline, avoiding any issues that may occur later on. Lastly, before filing an appeal we strongly urge you to contact or consult with a disability lawyer who can provide helpful information and guide you on the proper processes.How can I find out more?
We hope all readers found this article helpful and informative and encourage you to visit the official US Medicaid site to learn more and answer all your remaining questions! « PreviousNext »Top Resources for Disabled Veterans
Top Resources for Disabled Veterans
Our Veterans left their families and homes to fight the battles necessary to secure the safety of our nation and the world. What many of us civilians don’t hear or see is the life changing impact left on not only these brave men and women but their loved ones as well. To put it into prospective, based on a survey by the American Community Survey, in 2017 an estimated 26.3% of non-institutionalized Veterans between the ages of 21-64 reported having a VA service-related disability. This equates to roughly 2,354,700 men and women out of 8,958,400.
While we cannot change the everlasting effects, we can help improve their quality of life and make sure they are never abandoned. To find out more about the best resources and programs available to disabled Veterans and their families please read on!
Caregivers and Where to Find Help
Many disabled Veterans must rely on the assistance of a loved one or hired hand to complete common day to day tasks. Whether you are a caregiver looking for information or a Veteran in need of assistance, the DAV (Disabled American Veterans) and VA (US Department of Veteran Affairs) have a lot of useful information and can help guide you in the right direction to getting the help you need. Additionally, the VA offers various programs for both facility and home-based care, including adult day care programs and at home primary care.What is the adult day care program and how can it help?
The adult day care program is for Veterans in need of skilled care services, case management and assistance with daily activities. During the day Veterans can take part in social/recreational activities and peer support groups. Not only will this help keep Veterans active and social, but also for loved ones who act as caregivers, it gives you the opportunity to continue your career, run errands, or to simply have a break.Benefits: Medical and Disability
There are numerous disability benefit programs provided by the VA, for Veterans who return home unable to work. Whether it is due to a physical or mental service-related disability, you are eligible for some sort of compensation benefit. In addition to compensation for unemployable Vets, medical benefits are also provided for the Veteran and family. Where many are eligible there are still requirements that must be met for both disability and medical benefits. The primary for both requires you must have left service for any condition other than a dishonorable discharge. Additionally, for disability benefits your disability must be due to a service-related incident. For full lists of VA benefits or any questions you may have, you can call +1 (800) 827-1000 or visit the VA benefit’s web page. Other benefit programs include:- Burial
- Death Pension
- Dependency
- Indemnity Compensation
- Direct Deposit
- Disability Compensation
- Directions to VA Benefits Regional Offices
- Disability Pension
- Education
- Home Loan Guaranty
- Medical Care
- Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment