Top Medicaid Benefits You May Not Know About

Medicaid is an important health care program that provides insurance to disabled and low-income individuals. Usually, people assume this government initiative provides enrollees with access to standard medical care. However, many people do not realize that Medicaid benefits extend well beyond checkups and routine trips to the doctor’s office.

Across the country, Medicaid’s goal is to provide vulnerable individuals with access to comprehensive health care. Many times, people only focus on the most popular benefits this program offers. As a result, they may forget that Medicaid offers services beyond the ones they are using. The following sections explain some of the most useful Medicaid benefits enrollees may not be taking advantage of.

Ambulance Services

If you have a health emergency and need to be transferred to a hospital, Medicaid can cover the costs of your transportation. If you are short on funds, you may be tempted to avoid using ambulance services because you do not want to pay for the cost of getting to and from the emergency room. However, if you have Medicaid, you can use your benefits to cover the fees you would otherwise be responsible for.

Chiropractic Services and Physical Therapy

The state you live in is responsible for determining if you can use your Medicaid benefits for chiropractic or physical therapy services. These are optional benefits. Even if these services are available, states can also determine if there are additional requirements you need to meet in order to use them. When available, though, these benefits can improve your long-term physical health.

If you are in a car accident and hurt your back, for example, a chiropractor can help make sure you are able to walk and sit without pain. Likewise, a physical therapist can help make sure you can use your arm or leg properly after you break a bone. Both of these services would cost a lot of money if you were to pay out of pocket. As a result, having Medicaid in these situations can help you save money.

Dentures and Emergency Dental Care

Dental care is another service that states can choose to offer enrollees. Often, dental benefits are available to minors who need preventative care each year. However, variations of this program exist in other parts of the country. For example, some states may allow adults to use their Medicaid benefits to receive emergency dental care if they have a severe condition. In some states, beneficiaries may also be able to use their Medicaid to receive dentures.

Family Planning Assistance and Support

Family planning services are an important component of every state’s Medicaid packages. In fact, it is required that all states offer these services to enrollees. Usually, beneficiaries can use their Medicaid to access:

• Contraception, like birth control pills, patches or an intrauterine device (IUD).
• Condoms.
• Preventative screening services before an individual becomes pregnant.
• Ultrasounds or sexually transmitted disease (STD) risk counseling.  

Vision Care and Glasses

If you receive routine vision care, you can make sure your eyes stay healthy as you age. Not every state covers the cost of eye exams and glasses or contacts, but some may. States are responsible for deciding if they will offer these services to enrollees. If you are wondering if your state offers these benefits, check with your local Medicaid office.