Could You Lower Your Medical Bills with Medicaid?

Could Medicaid help you lower your bills — and find some breathing room in your budget?

Medicaid is the nation’s health insurance program for people with a low income of every age. One in five Americans get their care through Medicaid, with patients usually paying nothing for covered medical expenses.

For more than 60 years, AARP Foundation has been helping people secure the essentials, including healthcare. That’s why we put together this overview. Find out what Medicaid covers, who can get it, and tips for applying.

What Medicaid Covers

Doctors will not treat you any differently if you are on Medicaid. Patients receive the same treatment as everyone else. Plus, people on Medicaid get to choose the doctor or clinic they wish to use.

As a Medicaid recipient, many of your health care expenses are covered such as:

• Getting a checkup
• Visiting a health clinic
• Going to the hospital
• Getting an x-ray
• Receiving long-term care in a nursing facility or at home
• Getting a ride to a doctor’s appointment

Your state may provide even more services. To see what Medicaid benefits are available where you live, check with your local Medicaid agency.

Eligibility Requirements

Even if you didn’t qualify for Medicaid in the past, you could be eligible today due to changes in your life or new government guidelines. Plus, you don’t have to be participating in welfare or other benefit programs to qualify.

Eligibility varies by state, but in general, here’s what determines if you qualify:

• Your income (what you earn) and assets (like savings) must be below certain limits
• The size of your family
• Your age: People over 65 are given special consideration

In addition, if you receive Social Security Income (SSI) payments due to a disability, you automatically qualify for Medicaid.

Immigrants are not automatically excluded from Medicaid, either. If you are a “qualified non-citizen” — a green card holder, refugee, or someone seeking asylum for example — you may be eligible, if you meet your state’s income and residency rules.

How To Apply

There are two ways you can apply for Medicaid:

• Contact your state’s Medicaid agency
• Fill out an application at HealthCare.gov

You’ll need to provide your driver’s license or other ID, plus things like bank statements, paycheck stubs, or social security statements to show your income and expenses.

Feeling overwhelmed by the application process? Find someone who can walk you through the application process here.