Replies

[2:03:42 pm]: Susan
I apologize for the misunderstanding. You may be able to apply for Medicaid in your state. What state do you reside in?
[2:04:30 pm]: pat
PA
[2:06:09 pm]: Susan
Medicaid is a state-administered program that provides health coverage for certain lower- income people, families, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Medicaid is available in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. You may qualify for Medicaid now, and even if you do not, you may qualify if your state expands its Medicaid program in 2014. Even if you don’t qualify for Medicaid, your children may be eligible for coverage under your state’s Children’s Health Insurance Program.

Medicaid programs differ from state to state. All state Medicaid programs must cover certain basic health care services. However, many states offer additional services beyond those basic health care services. The additional services covered by Medicaid vary from state to state.

Medicaid is designed to be affordable. Depending on your state’s rules, you may have to pay a small part of the cost for some medical services.

The Affordable Care Act allows states to cover more people by changing their Medicaid income eligibility levels. While many states have adopted new eligibility levels, some states have not made a final decision to do so. As such, Medicaid eligibility may vary from state to state. In every state, consumers may apply for Medicaid through the Marketplace or their existing state Medicaid program. For more information about your state’s Medicaid program, please contact your state’s Medicaid office.
[2:07:25 pm]: Susan
Hours of operation vary by state, however, most Medicaid offices are open during normal business hours of 08:00 am - 05:00 pm. You may reach them at (800) 692-7462.
[2:09:17 pm]: Susan
If you enroll in a plan through the Marketplace, you may qualify to lower the costs of your monthly premiums or out-of-pocket expenses. Additionally, you may qualify for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program, also known as CHIP, which are state programs that offer free or low-cost health insurance.

You may also qualify to lower the costs of your monthly premiums right away. When you fill out a Marketplace application, you’ll find out if you qualify for lower costs. You can then decide how much you would like to use.

Besides lower premiums, you may qualify to lower costs through a cost-sharing reduction, which lowers your out-of-pocket costs by calculating a reduced amount that you would owe. These reductions apply to deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. You need to enroll in coverage and make your first premium payment on or before December 15, 2013, for health coverage to start on January 1, 2014.
[2:10:33 pm]: Susan
As the information states, once you apply, you will be able to find out what costs you are eligible for.