Georgia’s Medicaid program gives eligible seniors access to low-cost health care. Many benefits and services are covered by Medicaid, including doctor and nurse visits, prescription drugs, inpatient and outpatient hospital services, emergency services, medical equipment, exams and dental care. While the costs of nursing facilities and hospice care services are often covered by Georgia’s standard Medicaid plan, seniors who want to live in assisted living facilities will need to apply to additional waiver programs.
To receive Medicaid assistance, Newnan seniors must meet the state’s basic eligibility criteria. They must be age 65 or older and a U.S. citizen or qualified immigrant. In Georgia, income and resource limits vary by Medicaid category. The income limits for SSI recipients are $771 per month for individuals and $1,157 per month for couples.
Seniors with incomes that exceed the standard Medicaid limits may be eligible for the Medically Needy Spend-Down program. To qualify, they must have unpaid medical bills that, when factored into monthly income, bring the total under the limits. Seniors may also be interested in the Georgia Long-Term Care Partnership, which lets users combine Medicaid and private long-term care insurance.
Most Georgia residents eligible for Medicaid apply online or at their local Division of Family and Children Services (DFCH) office. Seniors can apply directly to the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. When seniors are approved for SSI, they’re automatically enrolled in Medicaid. If they apply for Medicaid via the traditional means, seniors will have to fill out a separate application for SSI benefits. When seniors are applying to any state benefits program, they should be prepared to offer various documentation, such as a copy of their birth certificate, government issued ID cards and Social Security numbers.
After seniors finish their application, it will be reviewed by an eligibility specialist. Approved seniors will then receive a Medical Assistance card in the mail within two months of their application date.
To learn more about Georgia’s Medicaid and other long-term care programs, seniors can call (877) 423-4746.