The Medicaid program helps certain groups of low-income people with payments for health and medical care. The local Social Service agency in the county where you live takes applications and determines eligibility or you can go to the Medicaid website for additional information.
The Department of Medical Assistance Services pays the bills to providers. Medicaid is divided into three basic programs: Families and Children; Aged, Blind and Disabled; and Long Term Care.
Medicaid is different from Medicare. Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people who are age 65 or older or disabled. It is administered by the Social Security Administration.
FAMIS is a Health Insurance Program for uninsured children under age 19. You may request FAMIS by calling the FAMIS Central Operation Center, at 1-866- 87FAMIS, or by submitting the FAMIS/Medicaid application to your local Social Service Department. Additional information about Medicaid, FAMIS, and Medicare.
State and Local Hospitalization
State/Local Hospitalization provides direct payment to hospitals for individuals who are unable to pay for required medical services.
Medical services covered are limited to:
- Hospitalization
- Outpatient Surgery
- Emergency Room Visits
- Health Department Visits
- In-Patient and Outpatient doctor visits are NOT covered.
If you know that you are going to be hospitalized or have outpatient surgery, you can apply beforehand, or apply within 30 days of the discharge date, from which services where provided.
If funds are available and you are eligible you will be covered for 180 days from the date of the application or the date of service. Funds are limited and usually depleted before the end of the fiscal year.