Medical bills can be expensive, and that is exactly why so many different medical assistance programs exist. One of the most prominent medical assistance programs provided by the government is Medicaid.
Medicaid is available to low-income individuals, pregnant women, children and disabiled individuals who are receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) payments. Medicaid is mainly funded by the state you live in and covers most, if not all, of an individual’s medical expenses. Medicaid can also cover outpatient care and nursing home care for eligible participants who require round the clock care.
In addition to Medicaid, some children may be eligible for a similar program called the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). CHIP is for children whose families cannot afford private healthcare for them but they do not meet the low-income requirements for Medicaid. CHIP provides affordable health care for children at little to no cost to the family and allows children to live healthier lives.
Since CHIP is funded by the state you live in, some states may have different rules for who is eligible. For example, some states include pregnant women as an eligible group to cover while others do not.
If you are not low-income, but are older than 65 years of age, you may qualify for the following government medical assistance program: Medicare. Medicare is a government funded medical service that provides American’s older than 65 years of age with affordable medical coverage. Medicare does not cover all medical expenses but it is cheaper than standard medical insurance.
Those who are eligible to receive Medicare will be able to choose the coverage plan that works best for them between Medicare Part A, B, C or D or even a combination of all 4. If you are younger than 65 and have an eligible disability or are suffering from the end stages of renal disease, you may also be eligible for Medicare coverage.
