The state of Georgia provides $3.1 billion annually in Medicaid coverage.
The Medicaid program is the largest social services program administered by the Department of Community Health within the state of Georgia. Although strict regulations require eligable Medicaid applicants to meet both low-income and health issue requirements, Medicaid funding can be used towards a variety of services and can cut office co-pays down to just a few dollars per visit.
Function
The Georgia Medicaid program is administered by the Division of Medical Assistance, a branch of the state's Department of Community Health. Each year, Georgia's Medicaid program provides $3.1 billion in financial assistance for the medical needs of 1.2 million people.
Benefits
Medicaid funding in the state of Georgia can be applied to various medical needs, including clinical care, dental, vision and prescription drug services. Clinical benefits include outpatient hospital services for a $3 co-pay and rural health clinic services for a $2 co-pay. Georgia Medicaid covers up to $600 in dental costs per year and subsidizes some of the costs associated with ordering eyeglasses. Georgia Medicaid funds cannot be used towards physical therapy, occupational therapy, psychology services or chiropractic services.
Eligibility
Basic eligibility for Medicaid in Georgia is extended to a variety of people who are in a life situation that makes it difficult to pay for many vital health services. This includes women who believe they may be pregnant, children under 18, older adults over 65, disabled persons, legally blind persons or anyone needing nursing home care. Individuals and families applying for Medicaid must also fall under federal poverty regulations.
You can apply for Medicaid at your county's Division of Family & Children Services. Applications are usually registered and processed within 24 hours; funds may take from 10 to 60 days to be released.
Federal Poverty Level
The federal poverty level is the standard that low-income Georgia residents are judged against to determine whether they qualify for Medicaid based on income. As of 2011, the poverty level as determined by the federal government for one person is $10,830 per year; for two, $14,570 per year; for a household of three, $18,310 per year. Each additional household member raises the poverty level by $3,740. Pregnant women qualify for Georgia Medicaid at 200 percent of the poverty level. Working parents are ineligible past 56 percent of the poverty level, and non-working parents are ineligible past 29 percent.
Tags: Georgia Medicaid, poverty level, Medicaid program, state Georgia, Community Health
