Medicaid provides health care coverage to many poor and disabled individuals.
Medicaid is part of a group of health care insurance programs that help pay for health care service to disabled and qualifying low-income families and individuals. The Georgia Department of Community Health administers the Medicaid program and other healthcare programs to Georgia residents. You can apply for Medicaid benefits in Georgia in several ways. Eligibility information and applications for benefits are available at your county Department of Family and Children's Services.
Eligibility
Medicaid provides coverage for disabled individuals receiving Supplemental Security Insurance benefits, pregnant women and children. Elderly, blind or disabled individuals in nursing homes are also eligible for Medicaid in Georgia. Families with children whose incomes are lower than 133% of the federal poverty level may also qualify for low-income Medicaid. In Georgia, the Right from the Start Medicaid program provides coverage for pregnant women and newborns with family incomes lower than 200 percent of the federal poverty level. For a family of four, income of $3,842 per month or lower qualifies for Georgia Medicaid, according to the Georgia Department of Community Health.
Apply by Mail or Fax
If you would like to apply for Medicaid benefits in Georgia or find out more about the program, there are several ways to do it. If you cannot get to a DFCS office, call them and request an application form. When you receive it, simply fill it out and mail it back to them. For faster results, you can fax the application for services to the Georgia Department of Human Services, or DHS. To get contact information for your county's DFCS office, visit the department's Complete List of All County Offices webpage (see Resources).
Apply Online
You can also apply for Medicaid online at the Georgia DHS website (see Resources). Called Compass, for Common Point of Access to Social Services, the site permits you to submit an application or check the status of your application. The Compass website provides an easy to understand application process and guides applicants through it step-by-step.
Apply at County DFCS Office
You can apply for Medicaid and other social assistance programs inside your county DFCS office. To find its location, visit the department's Complete List of All County Offices webpage (see Resources). When you visit the office, you will fill out an application for services or benefits. The next step is scheduling an appointment with a social services worker to determine your eligibility for benefits. The social services workers will provide you with a list of things that you will need to prove your eligibility for Medicaid in Georgia. You will need proof of your identity, citizenship status and income.
Medicaid and the New Healthcare Law
Who can apply for Medicaid benefits is going to change soon. The Affordable Care Act passed in 2010 goes into full effect in 2014. Medicaid coverage in Georgia will expand to cover many thousands more uninsured Georgians who could not be insured due to poverty or pre-existing health conditions. In 2009, Georgia Medicaid covered 2,048,362 individuals. Over 650,000 more Georgians will be eligible to apply for Medicare under the new law, according to Georgia Health News.
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