in Blog, Medicaid Cell Phone by admin

Medicaid Cell Phone Program

It is possible to get a Medicaid cell phone. The Link Up and Lifeline programs have teamed up to provide Medicaid cell phones to qualifying low-income households. The Lifeline program discounts the mobile phone service and Link Up discounts landline service. Both of these programs are supported by the federal USF (Universal Service Fund.)

The discount varies from state to state (up to $10 per month) on the monthly phone service is applied to a basic cell phone service plan for Medicaid-qualifying recipients. There are other ways to qualify for these discounted phone services. Federal regulations limit the recipient to only ONE Lifeline service at a time. While a Medicaid recipient may qualify for a cell phone or a land line, the federal rule limits the discounts to only one-not both-for the same recipient. For any state that follows the federal eligibility criteria for the Lifeline and Link Up programs, the person must meet one of two criteria:

 Income is at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines.

 Participate in certain assistance programs including Medicaid, Food Stamps, SSI, Section 8 Housing, Low-Income Energy Assistance Program, TANF, or National Free School Lunch Program.

If a person is eligible for Medicaid, then that individual is also eligible for the Medicaid cell phone program (Lifeline and Link Up.)

For additional information and complete eligibility guidelines, check out the USAC website at http://www.usac.org/li/low-income/. Other sources of information include calling a phone service provider for your local area, your own state’s public service commission (PSC) or the FCC at 1-888-CALL-FCC. Visit the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners website, (http://naruc.org/) or look in your local phone directory’s Blue Pages or government section for your state’s PSC contact information. To find someone to help you navigate all the red tape, visit www.nasuca.org/archive/about/membdir.php.

If you qualify for Medicaid, then you qualify for a Medicaid cell phone. Check out the links or make the call today to get your Medicaid cell phone.

in Blog, Medicaid by admin

What is Medicaid?

Medicaid is a health program that is funded by the federal government but administered by the state, so each state may have its own particular requirements and guidelines. Medicaid was created in 1965 and gradually adopted by all states. The program provides nursing home assistance and complete health coverage including dental care to qualified applicants for no charge, except in some cases where a spend-down (increment) or small co-pay may be required.

Benefits of Medicaid:

Full benefits under Medicaid are generally available only to children and the elderly or disabled. These benefits include dental and vision services, but use of these services is low compared to regular medical services. There are fewer providers of dental and vision care who will accept Medicaid as a payer, so these are underutilized. It may be difficult for Medicaid recipients to find providers in these areas in their state.

A valuable benefit of Medicaid is that there is a 3-month period in which a person can apply to have past medical bills paid by the program. This retroactive coverage means a family can apply for assistance after a medical event occurs and they realize they need the assistance. The household still must meet all requirements for the program, but it may cover bills for services incurred up to 3 months before the application date.