16 Sep Common Myths About Medicaid
Medicaid can be a truly powerful and beneficial resource to individuals who are interested in seeking affordable in-home care options. Although nearly 74 million Americans are currently enrolled, the program is still commonly misunderstood and costly mistakes are made. Here’s a quick download on the top myths vs. truths:
- MYTH: Medicaid and Medicare are the same thing.
- TRUTH: Medicaid and Medicare are two different programs. Medicare is a federal program that supports adults age 65 and older, and is more focused on short-term health care. Medicaid is a state program that assists low-income individuals and families, and is focused on financial support for long-term care. Learn more about the differences here.
- MYTH: Medicaid is available to everyone.
- TRUTH: Unlike Medicare, which is largely available to everyone once they turn 65, Medicaid has very strict eligibility requirements on income and financial resources. Not everyone can qualify for Medicaid. In general, there needs to be a significantly high need for care (e.g. cognitive issues, pregnancy, illness, etc.), low income, and low savings (e.g. $2,000 or less).
Click here to learn more about Medicaid eligibility groups.
Click here for info on how to apply for Medicaid coverage in Texas.
- MYTH: Medicaid only covers nursing homes.
- TRUTH: Some states, including Texas, operate home and community-based services (HCBS) programs. HCBS allows individuals to receive care services in their home, rather than a medical institution or facility.
- MYTH: Medicaid coverage is the same in all states.
- TRUTH: Medicaid is state program, so there is variance across different state legislations. This is another key difference from Medicare, which is a federal program that applies the same rules and benefits to everyone who qualifies. Click here to view a state overview on Medicaid benefits.
En Su Casa offers free Personal Attendant (PA) services to those who qualify for Medicaid. If you are interested in learning more about your eligibility, click here to fill our an online contact form or call 210-495-2953 to set up an appointment with one of our representatives.
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