In Anne Arundel County, low-income residents can receive medical assistance via Maryland’s Medicaid program. This low-cost health care plan covers basic medical needs such as doctor visits, hospital and emergency services and prescription drugs. Other benefits include dental and denture services, diabetes care, hospice care, laboratory and X-ray services, medical equipment and supplies, physical therapy, mental health treatment and transportation services. The program does not traditionally cover the costs of assisted living services, however. Seniors may have to apply to a Maryland waiver program to receive this type of coverage.
To receive Medicaid coverage in Anne Arundel County, seniors over the age of 65 must meet specific eligibility requirements. They must be a resident of the state of Maryland, and they must have U.S. citizenship or an approved immigration status. Traditionally, immigrants must lawfully reside in the country for five years before they are eligible for Medicaid. These requirements are sometimes waived in emergency medical situations, however, and seniors who want more information about immigration status eligibility should contact the Anne Arundel County Department of Social Services.
Seniors must also meet specific income guidelines. In Maryland, income requirements for applicants over the age of 65 are determined on a local rather than statewide basis. Nonetheless, seniors can use the state requirements as a barometer of eligibility. In Maryland, individuals cannot have an income that exceeds $16,612, and two-person households cannot have earnings higher than $22,490. If seniors are already receiving Supplemental Security Income, they are automatically eligible for Medicaid.
To apply for Medicaid, Maryland seniors can use the myDHR online healthcare portal, download the DHR application or visit the nearest department of social services.
After acceptance into the Medicaid program, seniors receive an insurance card in the mail within two weeks. Seniors must also select a managed care organization, which provides all of the state’s Medicaid health care services. While all the programs offer the same basic benefits, the individual plans do vary slightly.
Anne Arundel County seniors can choose from Aetna Better Health of Maryland, AMERIGROUP Community Care, Maryland Physicians Care, Kaiser Permanente, MedStar Family Choice and Jai Medical Systems. If seniors do not select an MCO during the application process, they can change their assigned MCO up to 90 days after enrollment.