Writing -All of the health care programs in Michigan have an income test

QUESTION

All of the health care programs in Michigan have an income test and some of the programs alsohave an asset test. These income and asset tests may vary with each program. For some of theprograms, the applicant may have income that is over the income limit and still be able to obtainhealth care benefits when their medical expenses equal or exceed their deductible (formerlyknown as spend-down) amount.Healthy Kids is a Medicaid health care program for low-income children under age 19 and forPregnant Women of any age. (Healthy Kids for Pregnant Women is discussed under the PregnantWomen heading). There is no monthly premium for Healthy Kids. Most children who are eligiblefor Healthy Kids are enrolled in a Medicaid health plan. Healthy Kids provides a full package ofhealth care benefits including vision, dental, and mental health services. Printer Friendly VersionPrinter Friendly Text Only Version Text Version Decrease Text Size Increase Text SizeText SizeShare this page. Health Care Programs EligibilityHealth care coverage is available to individuals and families who meet certain eligibilityrequirements. The goal of these health care programs is to ensure that essential health careservices are made available to those who otherwise do not have the financial resources topurchase them.It is very important that individuals and families obtain health care coverage. In Michigan, thereare many health care programs available to children, adults, and families. Specific coveragesmay vary depending on the program and the applicant’s citizenship status (some non-citizensmay be limited to coverage of emergency services only). The Michigan Department of HumanServices (MDHS) determines eligibility for some of the health care programs that areadministered by the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH).I chose to compare and contrast Ohio and Michigan State Medicaid. Medicaid is a state andfederally funded entitlement program that pays for medical services to qualified low-incomeMichigan residents. It is one of the largest programs at the state level, providing services to overone million Michigan residents annually. All of the health care programs in Michigan have anincome test and some of the programs also have an asset test. These income and asset tests mayvary with each program. For some of the programs, the applicant may have income that is overthe income limit and still be able to obtain health care benefits when their medical expensesequal or exceed their deductible (formerly known as spend-down) amount. Below are twoexamples of Michigan Medicaid plans that are available. Healthy Kids is a Medicaid health careprogram for low-income children under age 19 and for Pregnant Women of any age. There isonly an income test. There is no monthly premium for Healthy Kids. Most children who areeligible for Healthy Kids are enrolled in a Medicaid health plan. Healthy Kids provides acomplete package of health care benefits including vision, dental, and mental health services.MIChild is a health care program administered by the Department of Community Health. It is forthe low income uninsured children of Michigan’s working families. MIChild has a higher incomelimit than Healthy Kids. There is only an income test. MIChild is for children who are under age19. There is a $10 per family monthly premium for MIChild. The $10 monthly premium is for allof the children in one family. The child must be enrolled in a MIChild health and dental plan inorder to receive services. There is also a plan for Children’s Special Health Care Services(CSHCS). Many times, the entire family may be eligible for health care benefits. There are fourdifferent family plans, 7 different adult plans, and 3 pregnant mother plans as well on theMichigan.gov website. Depending on where your gross monthly income lies, will help determinewhich plan you are eligible for. Family Group SizeGross monthly income1&2 $0-16073 $0-19904$0-23675$0-27466$0-31237$0-35008$0-38779$0-425410+$0-4634In order to qualify for an Ohio Medicaid plan, one must be a U.S. citizen or meet Medicaidcitizenship requirements; be an Ohio resident; have or get a social security number; and meetcertain financial requirements. Ohio Medicaid offers three programs for children, pregnantwomen and families with limited income to get health care. Once eligible for Medicaid, eachchild (birth through age 20) will have access to an important group of services known asHealthchek. The charts below shows how much income a family can have to qualify, these arethe monthly income guidelines. Again, these are only 2 examples. The Ohio.gov website goesinto further detail about each available program. Healthy Start (also called SCHIP) is a Medicaidprogram available to: Children & Pregnant Women Family size 200% Federal poverty level1 $1,8052 $2,4293 $3,0524 $3,675Healthy Families: Medicaid program available to: Families with income up to 90% of the federalpoverty level. (Families must include a child younger than age 19). Family size90% FederalPoverty Level1 $8132 $1,0933 $1,3744 $1,654After delving into each Medicaid program, I came to the conclusion that Ohio and Michigan arevery much alike in regards to income requirements for Medicaid eligibility. In Michigan, theDepartment of Human Services makes the ultimate decision after an individual applies forMedicaid, in Ohio; the local county department of job and family services makes the decision.Either way, I believe that this leaves Americans at a large disadvantage. The economy is notgrowing fast enough; unemployment is sitting at an all-time high, and consumers are eithermaking just a little too much money for Medicaid so they do not qualify. Some consumers alsohave children in the household who are working which is an additional income, or if the child isover 18 and does not qualify as a minor in the household. There are many factors that decreasethe chances of Medicare eligibility, each state is just slightly different.State of Michigan (2012) Department of Community Health. Retrieved from:http://www.michigan.gov/mdch House Fiscal Agency (2010) Medicaid costs in MichiganRetrieved from: http://www.house.mi.gov/hfa/medcost.asp Ohio Department of Job and FamilyServices (2012) Ohio Medicaid. Retrieved from:http://jfs.ohio.gov/ohp/consumers/Application.stm

ANSWER:

REQUEST HELP FROM A TUTOR