Mother with her son

Medicaid

Myths about the Medicaid Program and the People It Helps - written by Jean Accius, AARP Public Policy Institute, Research Report
November 2008
 
This fact sheet addresses common misconceptions about Medicaid, a program that serves as an effective safety net for those who are unable to pay for health and long-term care.

A look at the facts about Medicaid shows common misconceptions about the program are simply myths. Go to: www.aarp.org to read the 10 myths.

Home Help Services in Workplace Michigan's Medicaid State Plan has been revised to allow Home Help Services  in the workplace effective December1, 2007.  The Adult Services Manual policy change states:

"Home Help Services (HHS) may now be provided for the specific purpose of enabling the client to be employed. The current assessment process for personal care services remains unchanged. A separate assessment for the workplace is not required. The hours approved may be used either in the home or the workplace. Additional hours are not available as a result of employment. The client determines where services are to be provided, whether in the home or the workplace."

Medicaid Home and Community-Based Service Programs: Data Update
Developing home and community-based service (HCBS) alternatives to institutional care has been a priority for many state Medicaid programs over the last two decades. While the majority of Medicaid long-term care dollars go toward institutional care, the national percentage of Medicaid spending on HCBS has more than doubled from 15 percent in 1992 to 36 percent in 2004.This Kaiser Family Foundation report presents a summary of the main trends to emerge from the latest (2004) expenditure and participant data for the three Medicaid HCBS programs:(1) optional 1915(c) HCBS waivers, (2) the mandatory home health benefit, and (3) the optional state plan personal care services benefit, as well as findings from a survey of policies, such as eligibility criteria and waiting lists, used on Medicaid HCBS programs in 2006.

Expanding The “Registry” Concept: Creating Access To Care For Consumers & Employment For Care Workers
As part of the January 2008 Monthly Aging and Disability Resource Center Technical Assistance Exchange call, Dorie Seavey and Hollis Turnham presented the idea of worker registries. Supporting materials offer an overview of the concept and state examples (including the Michigan Quality Community Care Council). Also included is a two-page hand out that lists worker registry websites and offers and example of the database potential functionalities.

Persons with Disabilities and Prescription Drug Coverage
Dual Eligibility  Contact information and answers to questions about prescription drug coverage for those who are dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare and those who receive Medicare. Click here: MS Word or pdf version.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services - Dual Eligibility  Overview 
Dual Eligibility Categories and Model Application for Medicare Savings Programs

State officials have created a new Web site that consumers now can search the prices of 150 prescription drugs.
A new feature gives driving directions to the pharmacies on the site and lets users file complaints with the state when they believe pricing information is incorrect or price gouging may be occurring. The Web site is located at: www.michigandrugprices.com

Need Help Paying For Medicine? 
The Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA) is a one-stop resource to apply to get your medicines free or nearly free if you do not have prescription drug coverage. The Web site is sponsored by major drug manufacturers, which all have programs that cover medicines for free or at low cost to people who qualify.  Each program is unique and working people, people without jobs, seniors, student, families and single people may all qualify.
 
To find out if you qualify, go to www.pparxmi.org or call 1 (888)477-2669. The toll-free number has operators who speak several different languages. If you go to the Web site, you can provide information once and then print out an application for each medicine you need.

Long-Term Care Spending for Older People and Adults with Physical Disabilities in Michigan and U.S., 2006 - Compared to the U.S. Average, Michigan allocates a greater percentage (85 percent) of its Medicaid long-term care spending for older people and adults with physical disabilities to nursing homes, even though most people prefer to remain in their own homes and communities. In 2006, Michigan spent 4 percent on waiver services and 11 percent on personal care services. See AARP Public Institute Analysis

Stand Up, Speak Out
The Michigan Long Term Care Ombudsman has put together "Stand Up, Speak Out: An Advocate's Quick Guide to Medicaid" 

Medicaid Eligibility - Citizenship Documentation
For more information about the citizenship documentation requirement, go to:
Medicaid Eligibility and Proof of Citizenship

Read Letter from CMS to State Medicaid Director
 
Fact Sheet and Report examining New York's experience with requiring citizenship documentation from their Medicaid applicants.
The Kaiser Family Foundation's Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured (KCMU) has released a Fact Sheet and Report examining New York's experience with requiring citizenship documentation from their Medicaid applicants. 
 
Medicaid Hurdle for Immigrants May Hurt Others
New requirement that Medicare beneficiaries prove U.S. citizenship may hurt citizens who cannot produce records. NY Times, April 16, 2006. Click here to read more.