What You Need To Know
Medicaid is managed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. They aim to improve healthcare in different states of America including Ohio. The program provides a large number of Americans with health coverage. These low-income individuals are unable to provide such medical coverage for themselves. Amongst the people whose needs are catered to, there are children, pregnant women, parents, seniors and people with disabilities.
The individuals who receive Medicaid are then expected to join the Managed Care Plan (MCP). This is how they receive the benefits of the program. MCP allows them to gain the appropriate health coverage required. Ohio has selected plans that seem best to them, these provide:
- Toll-free medical advice through the phone. This number is open 24 hours to help cater to its members in the best possible way.
- Help coordinating care. This is especially for those who require special health care.
- Annual physical exams for adults.
Other benefits depend upon your MCPs. Some of them provide services like:
- This helps the individual to easily make it to their medical appointments. Not wasting any time for the patient as well as the physician.
- None or lower co-payments. Certain medical services require the payment between the Medicaid and the patient to be divided. This takes place in dental services, routine eye examinations, eyeglasses, and non-emergency services.
Enrollment means that you will be the owner of a card until you’re on the plan. This card will help you to access the benefits you require. You will also receive a plan that will contain the expected information. This means data about doctors, providers, health services and other available services. A managed care plan will also remind you about preventative medical services. This includes screenings, tests, and immunizations. Therefore, the main aim of the program would be achieved by safeguarding the health of qualified individuals.
Are You Eligible?
Certain basic requirements need to be fulfilled if one wishes to apply for this program. The applicant needs to be:
- A resident of the state of Ohio
- In need of health coverage
- Someone who is facing a financial situation of low or very low income
It is also important to be a U.S. National, citizen, or legal alien. These are the basic criteria factors. In order to qualify, it is also important that you must be:
- Above the age of 64
- Pregnant or parent to a child under 18
- Blind or disabled
- In a household with a child, parent or spouse who is blind or disabled.
The annual household income is also considered for this program. The amount before tax deductions is considered. Therefore, it must either be less than or equal to the following figures:
| Size Of Household | Maximum Annual Income Level ($) |
| 1 | 16,612 |
| 2 | 22,491 |
| 3 | 28,369 |
| 4 | 34,248 |
| 5 | 40,127 |
| 6 | 46,005 |
| 7 | 51,884 |
| 8 | 57,762 |
A household may have more than eight residents. If this is the case, then an additional amount of $5,878 is added per person. To ensure that the most accurate guidelines are being followed, the managing agency in the area must be contacted.
How To Apply
Application information is present on the Get Coverage page. This will help you to apply for Ohio Medicaid without any issues. Its accessibility allows the program to reach a large number of people. Especially, considering the online portals available.
Once your application is approved, you are expected to pick a plan. In case the selection is not made, automatic enrollment of the individual is done. They are notified regarding this and even provided with guidance about any changes they want. An individual has approximately 90 days after their initial selection to change their plan. If it’s not done during this duration then the person is expected to wait till the open enrollment period. Therefore, they get a chance to make the change on an annual basis. If the person has just cause for a change, they can consider it as well.
For Further Information
Queries and any confusion are addressed through the home page of the Ohio Department of Medicaid. There is even a Basic Health Program page available that may offer some in-depth information. This would clarify any questions that you may have.
In order to improve the Medicaid services of Ohio, a consumer Hotline has also been set up at 1-800-324-8680. This hotline can be called in case of any complaints a person may have. Moreover, complaints are also taken into account if you contact the member services department of your MCP.