Georgia spent more than 7 billion dollars on Medicaid in 2009.
Medicaid is a health care program designed for low-income families and individuals. It was created along with Medicare as part of the Social Security Act of 1965, with funding coming from both the state and federal government. The two governments share decision-making responsibilities regarding local programs. Georgia's Medicaid program is available through the Department of Community Health and the Division of Family and Children Services Office.
Eligible Groups
Not everyone who needs help with their medical bills can receive Medicaid. Funds are finite, so Georgia offers Medicaid to only certain groups. Pregnant women may qualify for Medicaid, as do children and teenagers. You may also be eligible if you are 65 years or older, have a disability or need care in a nursing home.
Income Limits
The biggest criteria for Georgia Medicaid is income. Georgia's Medicaid program has different income limits for different categories of people. Different income limits apply to singles and to married couples and are usually based on the current federal poverty level, or FPL, guidelines. If you exceed the income limit for your category, you cannot receive Medicaid assistance. Pregnant women and infants younger than one year can have incomes below 200 percent of the federal poverty level and still qualify for Medicaid, but the families of children aged 1 through 5 cannot exceed 133 percent of the FPL, and children aged 6 through 19 cannot exceed 100 percent.
Asset Limits
Some families and individuals cannot hold more than a certain amount in assets and receive Medicaid in Georgia. As of 2011, most singles, including those on hospice care and who receive Supplemental Security Income, cannot have more than $2,000 in cash, real estate, vehicles and bank accounts. Couples cannot hold more than $3,000. Medicare beneficiaries who would like to receive Medicaid help with premiums and deductibles have a different set of asset limits. However, some eligible groups, such as children and pregnant women, are not subject to the asset test at all.
Long-Term Care
Many seniors use Medicaid to help pay for long-term nursing home care once they cannot take care of themselves on their own. Disabled or medically fragile children and adults may also do so. Georgia's SOURCE, or Service Options Using Resources in a Community Environment, program cuts costs while still supplying necessary health care by finding community and home-based resources instead of herding patients into nursing facilities. Once a patient receives approval, SOURCE becomes the primary care provider, reducing the need for emergency room visits and long-term stay in an institution, filling in the gaps in health care not already addressed and stabilizing social factors that may affect a person's health and quality of living.
Application
Applications for Medicaid are requested from your local Georgia Division of Family and Children Services Office. You can pick up an application from the DFHS or download it from the Division of Family and Children Services website. Once completed, you will need to return it to the DFHS by mail, fax or email. If you are applying for Qualified Medicare Beneficiary benefits, are pregnant or have just given birth, you should receive a notice explaining your approval status within 10 days. Disabled people should receive notice within 60 days. All other applicants receive notification within 45 days.
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