Medicaid

[Casey_03]

They very well might NOT let you get things set up before you're physically present in the state.

This is exactly what I'm worried about and trying to get to the bottom of, but I fear that once I tell them, "I've been working overseas," they'll say there's some residency requirement and I'll have to be in the state for a year or more before I qualify. (Though there's nothing about that in the eligibility requirements I see).

It does say they require an interview 14 days from the application date, so it sounds like it could be a long process. And if I can't start it from here, I'll be left with no health coverage for my kid for however long the process takes ... which is a huge problem.

 

[Casey_03]

Well this sucks. Just found out Medicaid takes three months to get in the state where I live, and I can't apply ahead of time from where I am now. So, this isn't going to work. Once again, it seems I jumped the gun with wanting to move back home.

 

[Silver.]

your son might not have to wait because of Presumptive Eligibility depending on which state you are moving to:
Link Removed

that entire website is devoted to Medicaid, so it might be worth looking into. also keep in mind, that the states are full of walk in clinics now, for treatment at reduced fees, especially for people without healthcare coverage

 

[Casey_03]

@Silver. Right, they mentioned that but weirdly said I MIGHT still be charged for medical care, even with presumptive eligibility. The whole thing just seems like a big clusterf*ck. They also said I will have to show utility bills with my name on them (driver's license isn't enough), meaning I'd have to be living there for a month before I can even apply. I don't know why all my friends and family made it seem like it was so easy to get ...

 

[Silver.]

Are you still going to be living with your grandmother?
I wonder if you can't switch the electric bill to your name before you even move here? So that way it will already be established
(which is not illegal, as you can have electricity in multiple places here in the states)
at least that way you might have a leg up on that aspect?

 

[Casey_03]

@Silver. That might work. Worth a try anyway. In the meantime, I managed to find some free clinics, so I guess that is at least slightly reassuring. It's just a bit daunting because I've been away so long, I honestly don't remember how healthcare works out there. I always had insurance before so never had to bother with this sort of thing ...

 

[Justmehere]

You could try googling "Medicaid Ombundsman" and "WIC" and "indigent health care" and see if your state has any of those programs. They might be able to help fill in the gap during those three months, especially with a young child. Needymeds.org can help too. Also contact the United Way in the state you live in and they may know of options as well.

 

[sedna]

Has anybody here been on Medicaid and if so, is the coverage halfway decent? I know it's supposed to c...

Have you tried contacting a state close to your hometown? Youre about a two hour drive from one that will have less issues. You could always say that you plan to go there and get your info and paperwork started then say your situation changed.
I was recently reminded on another thread about what it was like to relocate here with nothing in a county that was full of immigrants and under funded.
If I had it to do over I would have come up with an address in a better place then said I had a change of circumstances once the status was established.

Im not against immigration, quite the opposite really.

Im just pointing out that it can make certain areas difficult to get public assistance in.

 

[EmmaOwl]

Medicaid Ombundsman" a

Small but important spelling here - ombudsman .
I'm a words girl and this one confuses me so I dropped in for clarity. It might be easier to google.
Unfortunately I can't offer more help than that :(

 

[8888]

Medicaid covered more than my previous insurance. With my old insurance I had to pay 50% for prescription drugs. Did have to fight to get some of the drugs covered but now that they are covered I pay nothing.