Question about "emergency" Medicaid

[Mountain777 0]

Hi, My wife who is a permanent resident since 2008 had to go to the emergency room 2 days ago after getting her finger caught in the car door. We do not have health insurance. I know the guidlines of the affidavit of support for permanent residents regarding use of "public means-tested benefits" but there is the clause so the permanent resident can recieve "emergency medicaid" without penalty. Only thing is no one seems to know what "emergency Medicaid" is!

I spoke with the idiots on the USCIS hotline twice... they were of no help at all as usual. I also spoke with the Medicaid supervisor at my local Social Services office here in NYS and of course she does not know anything about the affidavit of support situation. She told me that there is no such thing as emergency Medicaid, only that the person applies for Medicaid and if approved can recieve 3 months retro coverage. She also told me that they give medicaid to permanent residents all the time with aparantly no problems. Does anyone have any clarification for us on this issue that maybe you can share please? Are Medicaid offices different from state to state? Do some require reinbursment by the sponsor where as others don't? We are lost on this one and looking at a $4,000+ bill to put two stitches in a finger and take an X-Ray!

Any help would be great thanks!

And to all of you waiting for your spouses... our hearts are with you! IT'S WORTH THE WAIT! HANG IN THERE!!!!

Edited June 10, 2010 by Mountain777

[payxibka 10,045]

Hi, My wife who is a permanent resident since 2008 had to go to the emergency room 2 days ago after getting her finger caught in the car door. We do not have health insurance. I know the guidlines of the affidavit of support for permanent residents regarding use of "public means-tested benefits" but there is the clause so the permanent resident can recieve "emergency medicaid" without penalty. Only thing is no one seems to know what "emergency Medicaid" is!

I spoke with the idiots on the USCIS hotline twice... they were of no help at all as usual. I also spoke with the Medicaid supervisor at my local Social Services office here in NYS and of course she does not know anything about the affidavit of support situation. She told me that there is no such thing as emergency Medicaid, only that the person applies for Medicaid and if approved can recieve 3 months retro coverage. She also told me that they give medicaid to permanent residents all the time with aparantly no problems. Does anyone have any clarification for us on this issue that maybe you can share please? Are Medicaid offices different from state to state? Do some require reinbursment by the sponsor where as others don't? We are lost on this one and looking at a $4,000+ bill to put two stitches in a finger and take an X-Ray!

Any help would be great thanks!

And to all of you waiting for your spouses... our hearts are with you! IT'S WORTH THE WAIT! HANG IN THERE!!!!

USCIS only knows USCIS stuff (and barely if that)... Medicare/Medicaid is not under the USCIS, so of course they know nothing about it... What you did was like calling the Food & Drug Administration to ask a tax question...

google is your friend: http://www.health.state.ny.us/health_care/medicaid/

Not a K-3 visa general discussion topic.... moving this thread

Edited June 10, 2010 by payxibka

[Mountain777 0]

USCIS only knows USCIS stuff (and barely if that)... Medicare/Medicaid is not under the USCIS, so of course they know nothing about it... What you did was like calling the Food & Drug Administration to ask a tax question...

Not a K-3 visa general discussion topic.... moving this thread

oops I put it under the wrong forum, thanks for moving it for me :-)

So, yes neither agency knew anything really... What do you advise? If neither have the answer Who should I call? I am stuck on this one...

Thanks in advance for the help

Edited June 10, 2010 by Mountain777

[payxibka 10,045]

the NYS health department web page talks a little about EM....

here is the link again http://www.health.state.ny.us/health_care/medicaid/

[LIFE'SJOURNEY 970]

Sorry Medicaid will not intervene in this. The care, condtion and cost does not warrant Medicaid intervention. Try setting up a payment plan with the provider to assist your family in covering the cost of this bill. P.S. try using Urgent Care Centers in the future for these kind of treatment, the cost will be cheaper.

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

The income level for a family of 2 to qualify is about 10k a year. If you make more than that you are on your own to pay. Most hospitals will make payment arrangements with you. My son ( USC by birth) had his appendix rupture when he was not covered by medical insurance and ended up with a 100K bill of which aid covered 90k and he had to go on a payment plan for the other 10k. They also may not consider your injury qualifying as an emergency as far as coverage goes.

[payxibka 10,045]

Emergency Medicaid

April 26th, 2010

What do you do if you need to make an critical visit to the hospital and have no health insurance? If you have an acute crisis the hospital is required to treat you, but who pays? If you qualify your bills could be taken care of by emergency Medicaid.

Emergency Medicaid is a government sponsored medical assistance program, administered by each state, and provides payment for treatment in a crisis situation for certain patients. A situation is considered critical if there is a condition showing acute symptoms, including pain, that could adversely effect life or health, or cause a dysfunction of an organ or body part. Keep in mind that not everyone will be eligible for this program. It is not a health insurance.

Emergency Medicaid is not contingent on citizenship or legal immigration status, but other requirements, necessary for Medicaid, must be met.

In the case of pregnancy, a woman without health insurance may be able to receive emergency Medicaid to cover labor and delivery. However, prenatal care, except in the case of a problem or problems during pregnancy that might endanger the mother or the unborn child, is not considered an crisis and would not be covered.

If you have a chronic condition, such as asthma or heart disease, even if serious, will not be covered except in extreme situations.

To qualify for this, the recipient must meet all financial limits and requirements necessary to be eligible for Medicaid. These requirements vary by state so must be reviewed on an individual basis. Financial need is not the only criteria that needs to be met. There will be other rules in each individual state needed to qualify.

How do you apply for Emergency Medicaid? This isn’t something you can plan for in advance. It will need to be applied for after the visit. You can apply at the hospital, your local social service agency or online. You will need a picture ID, bank statement, pay stubs and perhaps a utility bill. Your information will be reviewed and a determination made as to your eligibility.

This is not a guaranteed way to finance your hospital visit, and should be considered more of a last resort. If you are having trouble with medical bills or have no health insurance you may want to check with your local social service agency before an crisis arises.

[Mountain777 0]

Thanks for all the responses so far! yes, my first thought was to go to the Emergentcare center by us but they were closed at the time this happened (this happened at 10:30pm)

The Medicaid supervisor was quite confident in telling me to come down and apply for Medicaid for my wife. We might meet the income requirments that I'm not sure, but even if, I fear that if she did recieve Medicaid, it would have to all be re-paid which I'm sure it would no matter what the Medicaid office tells me.

I know we would qualify for one of the HealthyNY health care plans through the state that are non-Medicaid plans that works on a sliding scale depending on income but again, I'm not sure if this would be considered a "public means-tested bebefit"?

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

Thanks for all the responses so far! yes, my first thought was to go to the Emergentcare center by us but they were closed at the time this happened (this happened at 10:30pm)

The Medicaid supervisor was quite confident in telling me to come down and apply for Medicaid for my wife. We might meet the income requirments that I'm not sure, but even if, I fear that if she did recieve Medicaid, it would have to all be re-paid which I'm sure it would no matter what the Medicaid office tells me.

I know we would qualify for one of the HealthyNY health care plans through the state that are non-Medicaid plans that works on a sliding scale depending on income but again, I'm not sure if this would be considered a "public means-tested bebefit"?

The state agency will know if they consider a benefit to be means tested. They've all got their own definitions for it.

Medicaid falls as a means-tested bennie as all states receive some monies from the Federal government to subsidize their Medicaid programs (the only caveat is Emergency Medicaid for a pregnancy).

A state subsidized health care plan will likely be considered means-tested. Or YOU may qualify but your wife may not. Most DHHR agencies have formulas for taking into (or out of) account the alien. Some criteria may be length of time in the US or merely legal presence.

You can't know until you ask. I doubt though if you are a healthy couple (no mental or physical disabilities) without children that you would qualify for ANY Medicaid program.

Talk to the finance department of the hospital and set up a payment program. They are used to dealing with persons with no insurance. If your income is low enough, you may qualify for the service to be completely written off.

*edited once again for weird typing*

Edited June 11, 2010 by JohnnyQuest