The federal Medicaid health insurance program provides coverage to low-income individuals and families nationwide. Eligibility varies from state to state, but generally includes low-income children, teens, adults and seniors, as well as people with disabilities of all ages.
Pregnant women and childless adults living below 133% of the federal poverty line can also apply for medical benefits offered by the Medicaid program.
Strategies to Get the Most Out of Your Medicaid Coverage
Medicaid covers doctor visits, hospital services, preventive medicine, prescription drugs, mental health services, vision care and dental care. However, not everything is covered and there are gaps that generate out-of-pocket costs for beneficiaries.
Retirees are particularly vulnerable to these costs being too heavy for their monthly budgets. Some strategies that we have compiled could help you if you combine them correctly with each other or with other personal financial good practices.
Start by Researching the Benefits of Medicaid
The main thing when using Medicaid is to familiarize yourself with the benefits offered by the program, the eligibility requirements and the rules of your specific plan. Find out which medical providers are covered by your network and choose doctors who work under this plan.
This way, you will always have the medical coverage of your trusted doctors or specialists at hand. Knowing the deductibles, co-pays and other costs associated with covered services will also help you better plan for out-of-pocket costs that may arise along the way.
Get the Most Out of Preventive Care Offered by Medicaid
There is no better medicine than that intended to prevent future health problems. Take advantage of scheduled appointments with your primary doctor. Get general check-ups as much as you can, especially if you have conditions that make you prone to later conditions. Y
our healthcare providers will always keep a record of all your exams, routine check-ups and results, but it’s also a good idea for you to keep your own record.
How to Save Money on Medicaid-Prescribed Drugs?
Whenever you are prescribed drugs in any treatment, after a medical consultation covered by Medicaid, ask to be prescribed the generic alternatives, which are cheaper than the famous brands. Remember that the effectiveness, safety and potency of generic drugs are exactly the same as those of the most expensive brands.
Generic medicines must be manufactured following the same strict quality control processes as brand-name medicines. Usually, if you choose the brand-name drug, you are paying for a packaging and a whole advertising and industrial structure that makes the cost more expensive.
The only disadvantage of generic medicines is that they may have different shapes, colors or sensations when ingested. If that’s not a problem for you and you like to save money by avoiding overpaying, generic drugs are for you.
Telehealth in Medicaid: How Can You Take Advantage of This Benefit?
Telehealth offers you a variety of options for your health care, allowing you to access different types of medical care from the comfort of your home. Among the services you can receive are consultations on emotional well-being, where you can talk to a professional about your feelings or problems related to alcohol or drug use. This type of advice is essential to address sensitive issues in a safe and private environment.
Another possibility is the review of medical results. Through telehealth, you can access the results of your laboratory tests or X-rays remotely. This allows you to get the necessary information without having to visit a medical center, saving time and travel.
Bring the Doctor to Your Own Home, Covered by Medicaid
You can also check out common health problems. If you experience frequent headaches, infections, or other health problems, telehealth gives you the opportunity to get professional guidance. In addition, health professionals can evaluate and diagnose dermatological issues using video conferencing, which is very convenient for examining and treating skin conditions without the need for a face-to-face consultation.
Medication management is another area covered by telehealth. You can get advice on how to manage your medications and make necessary adjustments under the supervision of a professional. You can also ask for help to treat common illnesses such as colds, stomach upsets and other minor conditions, obtaining appropriate recommendations and treatments.
Postoperative Follow-up With Telemedicine
Postoperative follow-up is another important function of telehealth. You can consult with your health care provider for follow-up and recovery after surgery, ensuring that your recovery is proceeding properly and receiving additional advice if necessary.
In addition, telehealth facilitates the conduct of physiotherapy and occupational therapy sessions guided by a therapist via video calls, which is very beneficial for those who need physical rehabilitation.
Finally, telehealth includes the use of remote monitoring tools to track the state of your health and share data with your health providers. This type of monitoring is especially useful for chronic conditions that require constant vigilance.
These telehealth options allow you to keep up with your medical care without having to travel to a clinic or hospital, facilitating access to essential health services and contributing to a more efficient management of your well-being.
