Blog:Health plans and Medicaid
Do you find that it's hard to understand the difference between Medicaid and a health plan? Lots of people do -- and that's why we're writing about it in this blog.
Medicaid is a government program that helps low income people pay for medical care. Each state runs its own Medicaid program, and each state has an application form that you must fill out to see if you qualify for Medicaid. People qualify if they meet all the program rules. Here are two of the rules:
- People who apply must be in one of the groups covered by Medicaid, such as pregnant women and children, older folks who need nursing home care, or people with disabilities,
- People who apply must meet the income limits in that state.
A health plan is a group of doctors, nurses, hospitals and other providers that works together to give health services to its members. Many states have Medicaid health plans for people in Medicaid. If you qualify for Medicaid and are in a Medicaid health plan, you won't have to look around for doctors and other providers, because your health plan will have them or find them for you!
At South Carolina Healthy Connections Choices, we help you join health plans. Your health plan will have all the health care professionals you need.
Studies show that people are happier with their health care when they get to choose their own health plan and main doctor. In South Carolina, people in Medicaid come to Healthy Connections Choices to choose their health plans and Primary Care Providers (PCPs). At SCHCC, we help you learn about health plans so that you can choose.
If you have any questions about choosing a health plan or doctor, call our call center.
Do you have a topic you'd like us to write about in a blog? Send us an email at blog@scchoices.com. Remember that email is not private. Do not send email with personal information in it such as your Medicaid ID number or Social Security number.