If you are a Medicare recipient, you are probably aware that Medicare isn’t free. Medicare B has a monthly premium and Medicare D, drug coverage, may have a monthly premium as well. Additionally, Medicare has deductibles and may have co-pays. Not all health services are covered by Medicare.
Some Medicare recipients are also eligible for Medicaid. Unlike Medicare, Medicaid doesn’t automatically reach out to you at age 65 to help you determine if you qualify for Medicaid benefits. As a result, many people who are eligible to receive Medicaid benefits are paying out of pocket for premiums and deductibles and may be doing without needed services, due to uncovered healthcare costs.
Medicaid is a complicated benefit with varying eligibility criteria, depending upon specific Medicaid benefits. Additionally, qualifications for Medicaid programs vary by state of residence. Medicaid has programs that can pay 100% of Medicare premiums. It has programs that can reduce or eliminate medication and doctor’s visit co-pays. There are Medicaid programs that pay for skilled nursing care after Medicare benefits have been depleted and there are Medicaid waiver programs that provide extensive in-home care designed to prevent the need for nursing home care. Some Medicaid programs pay for transportation to medical appointments, others, may pay for medically necessary equipment.
Accessing the various programs and understanding the eligibility requirements for each program requires the assistance of someone who knows the programs and is willing to answer your questions and assist you in applying for programs for which you seem eligible. Don’t assume that you’re not eligible for Medicaid services based on past experience or information from a neighbor. Their situation may be different from yours. Use the free services of a trained, certified counselor in the CHOICES program to help you. CHOICES is CT’s official state health insurance program (SHIP) created to provide accurate, unbiased information about Medicare and Medicaid to Medicare recipients and their families.
To reach a CHOICES team member call 1-800-994-9422.