| Medicaid is an insurance program that is offered by | | | | a resident, the status of their parent or caretaker does |
| every state to people with lower incomes. The | | | | not matter. As long as the child is a legal resident, they |
| program is, in part, federally funded, but each state is | | | | may receive Medicaid benefits. |
| given freedom in how they implement their Medicaid | | | | Medicaid is available for a number of disabilities, |
| Program. | | | | including HIV. In fact, Medicaid is the single largest |
| Medicaid, while federally funded and regulated, varies | | | | source of funding for HIV care from the federal |
| from state to state, because each state is given | | | | government. However, in order for HIV to be classified |
| freedom to choose how to meet the federal | | | | as a Disability, the disease must have progressed to |
| regulations. The same federal agency that administers | | | | Aids, which is defined as having a T Cell count of less |
| Medicare, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid | | | | than 200. |
| Services (CMS,) is responsible for ensuring that the | | | | In order to become enrolled in Medicaid, it is necessary |
| states are meeting the federal regulations. | | | | to submit an application to your state. In order to |
| Medicaid is intended to help those with lower incomes | | | | adhere to federal regulations, the state must review |
| afford medical care, but over 50% of those in poverty | | | | and act on the application within 45 days of receipt, |
| do not qualify for Medicaid. | | | | although they are given 90 days in the case of |
| Eligibility for Medicaid is divided into several categories, | | | | disabilities. |
| with each category having several requirements that | | | | Beginning in 2005, as part of the Deficit Reduction Act, |
| must be met. The basic categories are children, | | | | there were several changes to Medicaid, which serve |
| pregnant women, the parents of eligible children, single | | | | to provide tighter control over who can receive these |
| parents, and single individuals. The actual requirements | | | | benefits. It is now necessary to provide proof of |
| can change a great deal between states, specifically | | | | residency or citizenship before being approved for |
| because each state administers their own Medicaid | | | | Medicaid Benefits. |
| Program, but the states are required by the Federal | | | | The government has also put in place much stricter |
| Government to cover individuals who fall into the | | | | financial requirements on an individuals assets. Most |
| above categories. | | | | states cap an individuals assets at $2000, although this |
| While poverty is an overall requirement to be eligible | | | | figure does vary. The government now analyzes all |
| for Medicaid, being poor by itself does not qualify | | | | money transfers and gifts over the past five years. |
| someone for Medicaid. Instead, an individual or family | | | | The total of these assets is then used to penalize the |
| must both have a low income and fall into one of the | | | | individuals receipt of nursing home benefits. In the case |
| specific categories. | | | | of many seniors that have made gifts of their assets, |
| Typically, Medicaid is only available to American | | | | this penalty prohibits them from qualifying for Medicaid, |
| Citizens or those who are otherwise legal residents. | | | | even though they do not have the money to pay for it. |
| However, in the case of children, as long as the child is | | | | |