Georgia Medicaid Application
Mostly because the nation has chosen to deny Medicaid growth, leaving billions of dollars on the table as well as many uninsured citizens. The uninsured rate in this nation is sitting at 20 percent, without any expectation of falling in the face of lawmakers who reject Medicaid growth.
Due to the lack of Medicaid growth, many low income earning adults in the country are not able to pay for the expenses associated with buying health insurance. As of 2014, the country opted to permit the health insurance exchange to be facilitated on a national level. Throughout the 2014 legislative session, two bills were enacted that make the growth of Medicaid a tricky task in Georgia. HB 990 prevents the growth of the Medicaid program without getting legislative approval. HB 943 prevents state and local employees from having the ability to advocate for the growth of the program.
Estimates show that as many as 600,000 Georgia residents are prevented from receiving necessary medical care because of rejecting the expansion attempts. Governor Deal estimated that approving the expansion would cost the nation 2.5 billion over the next ten years.
What’s Covered Under Medicaid
Under the Medicaid program in Georgia, participants could get the following covered services:
- Birthing center services are provided for pregnant women to use when necessary.
- Inpatient and outpatient hospital services are offered under the program to people who need them.
- Rehabilitation services are provided to people affected by substance abuse issues.
- Practitioner services provided include chiropractor, dental services, dental surgery, nurse midwife services, optometrist, podiatrist, doctor, and psychologist services.
- Prescription medications are provided to participants under the Medicaid program.
- Ambulance and non-emergency transport is available to covered individuals to help out with getting them to and from the hospital and doctors’ appointments.
- Home health services are provided to coated parties under the Medicaid program.
- Hospice care services are provided to assist in end of life decisions and therapy.
Who’s Covered Under Medicaid
- Babies under the age of 1 whose family income doesn’t exceed 205 percentage of the federal poverty level are eligible for coverage.
- Kids between the ages of 5 and 1 whose household income doesn’t exceed 149 percent of the poverty level can qualify for coverage.
- Kids between the ages of 6 and 18 whose family income doesn’t go over 133 percent of the federal poverty level can receive Medicaid coverage.
- Pregnant women whose family income doesn’t exceed 220 percent of the federal poverty level can get coverage.
- Parents whose household income doesn’t exceed 35 percent of the federal poverty level are eligible to receive Medicaid.
The income requirements from the state of Georgia are more rigorous than other states for taxpayers to qualify for coverage. This is mainly due to the lack of growth of the Medicaid program, which would offer coverage to over 400,000 Georgia residents that are in the coverage gap.
For residents who believe that they qualify for health insurance coverage under the Medicaid program in Georgia, there are lots of means of applying. Residents can complete an online program, publish a paper program, or contact the Division of Family and Children services at 1-877-423-4746.
After the Medicaid Application
Approved Georgia residents will get a Medicaid card in the mail for all covered services. To utilize the health insurance under the program, participants should present the medical card before services rendered.
Hearings on Program Decisions
Notification letters will be sent to important parties in case an application was rejected or benefits are terminated or reduced.
Individuals must use the Fair Hearing Request information supplied with the notification letter so as to request an appeal on the decision.