Child Care Under Medicaid – Help is Available
Children that lack access to proper health-care professionals are at risk for illnesses and diseases that could have otherwise been prevented. For this reason, Medicaid was enacted to offer medical assistance to children up to a certain age depending on where you live. Health care under the medicaid program is available to children when their families income meets the federal poverty level or the child meets other specific requirements for Medicaid enrollment. For example, if a child has a particular diagnosis then they are given access to additional health care benefits to cover items such as co-pays and out of pocket expenses. Without this coverage, or in some cases backup coverage, life could be very difficult for these families.
Medicaid – Income Requirements
Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provides health coverage for almost 43 million children throughout the United Sates. Up to half of these children come from low-income families. The federal government has set minimum guidelines when it comes to medicaid enrollment however each state can choose to expand Medicaid coverage above and beyond the minimum guidelines set by federally funded medicaid. All states have done this for children. Most states have an income eligibility level for children up to 241% of the Federal Poverty Level also known as the FPL.
Medicaid Eligibility
When it comes to children who are eligible for Medicaid enrollment there are some eligibility requirements. For example a family may not qualify if they make too much money. Some standards state that a family of four cannot make over $44,700 per year (2011) However, each state has their own standards, so a family may be able to make more money and still qualify for medicaid. Some children are considered mandatory medicaid eligible. Some of these groups include children in foster homes, adoption assistance programs, newborns born to mothers with medicaid as well as children with disabilities. When determining if your child meets the requirements for Medicaid you must call your local office and fill out an application. There are many determining factors that can lead to a decision as to whether or not a child is eligible to enroll in Medicaid.
Medicaid Benefits For Children
All children who are enrolled in medicaid have certain entitlements. These entitlements include a comprehensive array of health-care services. These services are referred to as EPSDT, which stands for Early, Periodic Screening, Diagnoses and Treatment. This ensures that children have access to the necessary health-care no matter their income bracket. Many states offer flexibility with their own Medicaid packages that go beyond the standard medicaid packages from the federal government.
Health-care should be a basic right for all those living within the United States. This is especially true for children. This is why the federal government started medicaid. Thankfully many states have offered above and beyond the minimum guidelines for health-care for children. Medicaid offers health-care services for millions of children throughout the United States. These children come from low income families, foster families, or have a certain disability. Without medicaid these children would not have access to basic healthcare and their health could go untreated or cause their families to plunge further into poverty.