Medicaid
Medicaid
is a needs-based
health insurance
program to help pay
for medical
expenses and
disability-related
services and
supports of
individuals and
families with
limited incomes.
Medicaid has
different
eligibility criteria
for children and
families, the
elderly, and
individuals who are
blind or disabled.
Medicaid also has
several different
categories of
coverage, and it is
important to
understand which
category of Medicaid
applies to different
individuals for
their particular
needs. Medicaid for
adults with
disabilities or
individuals who are
blind covers a wide
variety of services
and supports for
individuals with
disabilities.
Congress created
Medicaid as part of
the Social Security
Act in 1965. The
section of this Act
is called Title XIX.
Sometimes Medicaid
is referred to as
“Title 19”.
Medicaid is funded
by both the federal
government and the
state. The Center
for Medicare and
Medicaid Services
(CMS) is the federal
agency that
administers the
Medicaid program.
In Indiana, the
state agency that
operates the
Medicaid program is
the Office of
Medicaid Policy and
Planning.
Individuals can
apply for Medicaid
at their local
Division of Family
Resources (DFR)
office. Click on
the link to access a
directory for the
local DFR office
http://www.in.gov/fssa/dfr/2999.htm
Medicaid is not the
same as
Medicare.
Many people confuse
Medicaid and
Medicare. Medicaid
and Medicare are
both forms of health
insurance; however
the eligibility
requirements and
services covered are
very different for
each program. Some
people qualify for
both Medicaid and
Medicare. These
individuals are
known as dual
eligibles (meaning
you have both
Medicaid and
Medicare).
