It is health insurance for low-income families, pregnant women, some disabled people, individuals and children who qualify. Although the federal government sets certain standards for this program, each state administers its own version.

The federal government and the states pay for Medicaid jointly. Individuals and families must meet certain income or disability thresholds to be eligible. Children who meet eligibility guidelines receive care from the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Also paid for by federal and state funds, CHIP is designed to provide health coverage for children of families whose income is too high to qualify for Medicaid, but who cannot afford private coverage.

At Freeway, we want to help you find the healthcare you and your family needs. Freeway’s licensed and bilingual agents can help you navigate through the Medicaid maze.

Medical coverage includes the most common forms of healthcare, including at least the same healthcare services that Medicare does, as well as some services that Medicare doesn’t cover. It also pays Medicare premiums, deductibles, and co-payments for people who are enrolled in both programs. It is not always free health plans—states have the option to charge premiums and to establish out of pocket spending (cost-sharing) requirements for enrollees.

Although the coverage in individual states is different, there are some mandatory federal requirements that must be met in order to receive federal matching funds. Required services include:

Each state sets its own Medicaid eligibility guidelines. The program is geared towards people with low incomes, but eligibility also depends on meeting other requirements based on age, pregnancy status, disability status, other assets, and citizenship.

States must provide these services for individuals who fall under certain categories of need in order for the state to receive federal matching funds. For example, it is required to provide coverage to certain individuals who receive federally assisted income-maintenance payments and similar groups who do not receive cash payments. Other groups that the federal government considers “categorically needy” and who must be eligible include:

Even if you were told you didn’t qualify in the past, you may qualify under new rules. You can see if you qualify in two ways:

Traditional Medicare is health coverage provided by the government. The ACA is a health policy that you buy from an insurance company, or get from your employer. Medicaid is a government healthcare subsidy that offers free or low-cost care for those who qualify based on income and family size. There are many different types of health insurance that fall outside the realm of Medicaid.