The cost of health insurance is extremely high that many do not possess health care coverage. For those that meet requirements of their state may obtain health care insurance through a government assisted program (ex. Medicaid). This insurance is offered to those that fit in their states guidelines of low income and can be obtained through their local Department of Social Services office. I have some knowledge of the government health care programs here in South Carolina from past experience. I myself have had to apply for my five children and myself after my marital separation. Government health care programs have good attributes, but also have bad. This article will illustrate what they are and who can actually benefit from these programs.
Medicaid offers yearly check-ups, dental cleanings, dental fillings (will not cover what they consider cosmetic, such as braces), and eye glasses (once a year), prescriptions for children or those under the age of twenty-one (no co-payment required).Those that fall within this criteria have full coverage and no out of pocket expenses. Although if you are twenty-one or above your coverage is very limited.
For those twenty-one or older will not be entitled to yearly check-ups (physicals). Female patients are allowed their yearly cancer screening though. As for dental coverage the only procedure that this insurance will cover for you is x-rays and extractions. There will be no dental cleanings, fillings. Your eye care coverage will be the same as those twenty-one or younger. Basically your services are limited and unlike those who fall between the ages mentioned, you have to pay a co-payment on doctor visits and on each prescription that is being filled.
If you do not have the co-payment upon your appointment you will not be seen, but will have to re-schedule when you do have the co-payment. Also as for your prescriptions, you will be charged a co-payment per prescription, no co-payment no medication. Although the co-payments may not be that much, the way the economy is today makes it difficult for low income families to pay it. If the change in the economy is effecting the middle class financially, imagine what it is doing to those that fall in the low income category.
However, many physicians in SC have stopped accepting new patients with this insurance, and other physicians not accepting it at all due to Medicaid not paying after services have been provided. This has been covered on our local news channel here. This was prior to the co-payments, which is a new thing for patients with Medicaid.
Therefore government assisted health care programs are valuable to children and those under the age of twenty-one for all their health care needs. You will have to do some research on what coverage is available to those younger and older in your state (guidelines and coverage vary per state).
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- low cost health insurance pa with no copayment
- who makes eyeglasses for low income people
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