Georgia spent more than $7 billion on Medicaid in 2009.
While Medicare is designed for senior citizens and managed mostly by the federal government, Medicaid is jointly funded by both state and federal governments and administered by the states. This allows each state to design its own programs, although they must still meet basic federal standards. The Department of Community Health manages Georgia's Medicaid programs, which helps provide health care to different categories of low-income residents.
Basic Eligibility
Though Georgia has several different Medicaid programs, the basic eligibility for them is the same. The main populations Medicaid serves are children, the blind, the disabled, the elderly, pregnant women and people living in nursing homes. You also cannot exceed a certain level of monthly income to qualify for Medicaid. The exact amount depends on your health, age and number of people in your family. You must also be a citizen of the United States or a qualified alien and a resident of Georgia to qualify. To begin the approval process, you will need to submit a completed application to your local Department of Family and Children Services office. You will also need to supply documentation of your citizenship, income and health conditions.
PeachCare for Kids
PeachCare is a comprehensive Medicaid program for children in Georgia. PeachCare covers such things as emergency room services; hospitalizations; dental, vision, mental health services; prescription drugs; doctor visits and preventive care. As of 2011, PeachCare is free for children under the age of 6. For children 6 and older, the program requires a monthly payment of $10 to $35 for one child or a maximum payment of $70 for two children or more living in the same household.
Planning for Healthy Babies
Planning for Healthy Babies is a family counseling program to help prevent giving birth to children with very low birth weight. P4HB can be used by any low-income mother who has had a child weighing less than 3 pounds, 5 ounces. Mothers who are also members of Medicaid receive services to help them understand proper nutrition, parenting and healthier lifestyles.
Long-Term Care Programs
Georgia residents who need long-term health care services may also use Medicaid. Elderly individuals can get help through Service Options Using Resources in a Community Environment. SOURCE tries to aid older, disabled or blind residents by setting them up with services that can be provided in a person's own home rather than in a hospital or a nursing home, although you must be a candidate for nursing home level of care to qualify. Children who are medically fragile may qualify for the Georgia Pediatric Program. GAPP also helps provide health care services in the home or at a medical day care rather than placing the child in a long-term care institution.
Tags: health care, care services, Georgia Medicaid, health care services, Healthy Babies, helps provide, helps provide health
