Medicaid is one of several government run insurance programs that provides healthcare assistance to the general public. While the VA and TriCare provide health benefits to military members and Child Health Insurance Plus (CHIP) provides insurance to certain qualifying children, most adults who have government insurance either have Medicare or Medicaid. In some cases, they have both.
Understanding what Medicaid covers will help you to see why Medicaid is so important for many seniors. Medicaid may be the only insurer to provide coverage for routine custodial nursing home care, which neither Medicare nor most private insurers will pay for. Medicaid can also provide payment for costly prescription drugs and medical treatment which may be too expensive even with Medicare or private insurance as a result of co-pays, co-insurance costs and premiums.
While Medicaid provides very broad coverage, it also provides limited coverage in that it is available to people only with low incomes and few resources. Medicaid planning, done well in advance of the time you require care, may be able to help you ensure you can get qualified for Medicaid when you need the services it provides. Making a plan to get covered and avoid spending down your personal wealth in the event that nursing home care becomes needed is one of the important steps that Unsworth LaPlante, PLLC can help you to take.
Whether you are considering Medicaid planning or you already have Medicaid coverage, it is also important for you to learn as much as you can about what this insurance is, what it covers, and how to take advantage of its benefits. These Medicaid resources can help you to find much of the information that you need about how Medicaid works and about how Medicaid can help you.
Vermont Medicaid Resources
Some of the Medicaid resources which may be helpful to you in learning about Medicaid in Vermont include:
- The Medicaid State Resources Center: This is a federally-run website which provides centralized access to information about the partnership between Medicaid and the states. Medicaid is a joint state/federal effort, with each states running their own programs within federal guidelines. States must comply with basic federal requirements to continue to receive funding, but have substantial leeway in how their individual programs are run.
- Green Mountain Care: Green Mountain Care is the name for Medicaid in Vermont.
- The Vermont Department of Children and Families: This website provides details on the Medicaid benefits and Medicaid program in Vermont which is available to seniors aged 65 and over, available to the blind, and available to the disabled.
- Vermont Health Connect: This website is the location where you can find out about Medicaid for adults who are not seniors and about Vermont Medicaid for children. Vermont Health Connect also has information on Dr. Dynasaur, which is coverage for children under aged 19 and coverage for pregnant women.
Medicaid resources which help you to understand eligibility include:
- Vermont Health Connect: There are details on this page about eligibility thresholds for receiving Medicaid coverage in the state of Vermont. There are strict limits in both income levels and on the assets and resources you may own while qualifying for Medicaid. Limits depend upon family size. Medicaid planning can help you to protect assets while still qualifying for coverage, which can be very important for seniors who want to protect their life’s work.
- Medicaid.gov’s eligibility page: This page provides important general information about who can become eligible for Medicaid. The page explains the financial eligibility requirements, defines Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) used to determine eligibility, and explains when people may be eligible for coverage despite having income exceeding MAGI limits.
Medicaid resource which help you to understand and take advantage of Medicaid coverage include:
- The coverage web page: This provides information on covered services. You can also find out about limitations on coverage.
- The co-pays web page: In some situations, there is a small copay for Medicaid services. The copay can depend upon your income and the specifics of the care you receive. This page explains.
- The Vermont Medicaid Portal: This page allows you to look up providers who accept Medicaid coverage in Vermont. Not every doctor will accept Medicaid because reimbursement rates can be lower than the payments provided by private insurers.
- The Department of Vermont Health Access: You can find Medicaid enrolled dental providers on this website.
Medicaid resources which help you to find a nursing home include:
- Medicare Nursing Home Compare: On this page, you can put in your zip code, your city, and your state in order to find out information about nursing homes in your area. Nursing Home Compare has information about every nursing home in the country that is certified by and that accepts payments from Medicaid and Medicare. Even if you are not planning on using Medicaid to pay for your nursing home, you can still find out information about the reputation of nursing homes so you can find a care facility that will provide an acceptable level of patient services.
Taking advantage of these different resources will help you to learn some key information about Medicaid so you can make the most informed choices about Medicaid planning and about making use of Medicaid coverage.
Getting Help from a Vermont Medicaid Planning Lawyer
Medicaid in Vermont can be a literal lifesaver if you need medical care you cannot afford. It can also help you to pay for nursing care and other costly medical expenditures while still protecting your life savings and leaving a legacy for loved ones – but only if you make advanced plans. Unsworth LaPlante, PLLC can help. To find out more about Medicaid planning, join us for a free seminar. You can also contact us to get personalized advice on how to qualify for Medicaid and how to make Medicaid work for you. Give us a call at (802) 879-7133 or contact us online today to learn more about how our legal team can help you with all things Medicaid related.
