Medicaid in Akron, OH

Medical professionals spend a lot of time talking to people about Medicaid coverage. In fact, many people think they can’t get help without private insurance. What some people actually don’t know is that Medicaid can cover more of the treatment than private insurance companies 

That’s why it’s important to get accurate information about it. There’s so much confusion about what Medicaid actually covers for addiction treatment and the only thing that protects people is knowledge about their coverage.

The Basics of Medicaid

Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that helps cover medical costs for some people with limited income and resources. It started back in 1965, and today it’s one of the main ways people get addiction treatment coverage. Each state runs its own program a bit differently, but the core purpose remains the same: making sure people can get the healthcare they need, regardless of their financial status.

Insurance Plans With a Medicaid Plan

Here in Ohio, we work with several Medicaid insurance companies. The main ones are:

• CareSource

• Molina Healthcare

• United Healthcare Community Plan

• Buckeye Health Plan

• Anthem 

Each company isn’t identical to the others but they all cover addiction treatment services.

Something most people don’t realize is that you can have Medicaid even if you have other insurance. We call this secondary insurance, and it often means better coverage. We’ve seen it help dozens of patients who thought they’d have to choose between one or the other.

Who Can Get Medicaid?

The rules about who can get Medicaid aren’t as strict as many people assume. Income matters, but there’s more to it. You might qualify if you:

• are not earning much money right now

• are pregnant

• have kids

• get Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

• have a disability

Many people think they don’t qualify because they have jobs. But they find out that they could still get coverage because of their family size and income level. 

How It Compares to Other Insurance

Medicaid often covers more addiction services than private insurance. If you have private insurance, you have to do a lot to get coverage for certain medications, while Medicaid covers you right away.

Medicare is mainly for people 65 and older or those with disabilities. It’s important not to confuse Medicare and Medicaid because of their almost identical names. Having Medicare can get complicated because some people qualify for both programs.

A lot of people think private insurance is automatically better because they’re paying for it. But with addiction treatment, that’s not always true. Private plans often come with:

• Higher copays for treatment services

• Strict limits on how long you can stay in treatment

• More paperwork and pre-approvals needed

• Specific networks that might limit where you can go for care

The truth is, each type of insurance has its pros and cons. What matters isn’t whether it’s private or government insurance – what matters is whether it gives you access to the treatment you need. Sometimes Medicaid is actually the better option for addiction treatment because the government has made mental health and substance abuse treatment a priority.

If you have private insurance but it won’t cover everything you need, you might still qualify for Medicaid as secondary insurance. We see this a lot with people who have high-deductible plans through work. Their Medicaid picks up costs that their primary insurance doesn’t cover.

What Do You Need to Get Medicaid?

To apply for Medicaid, you’ll need:

• Proof of Low Income

• ID

• Social Security Number

• Birth Certificate

• Proof of Residence

It’s also possible to apply online. But if you can drop by your local Medicaid office, they can help you with your application. 

What Medicaid Covers for Addiction Treatment

This is the important part. Medicaid has to cover addiction treatment – it’s the law. That includes:

• Detox

• Inpatient Rehab

• Outpatient Treatment

• Medications that help with recovery

• Support Services

You might be shocked at how comprehensive Medicaid coverage is. 

Picking the Right Plan

When you’re choosing a Medicaid plan, think about:

• Which treatment centers accept Medicaid: Skypoint Recovery is the best treatment center to choose for your Medicaid Plan.

• What the coverage is: We have a wide variety of treatments you can choose from.

• If you need special approval for certain treatments: We’ll assist you to get that information online.

• Which center can treat you: We’ll help you find out your coverage and options.

• If it covers your needed medication: Our staff will help you determine if your medication will be covered.

Medicaid Can Be Your Lifeline

Medicaid coverage keeps getting better for addiction treatment. More services are being covered, and it’s getting easier to use. The system isn’t perfect but it’s helping more people get treatment than ever before.

Most importantly? Don’t let questions about Medicaid stop you from reaching out. Every day, Skypoint Recovery helps people find out about their coverage and get into treatment. All you have to do is make that first call.

Do you have questions about your Medicaid treatment coverage? Call us or fill out our confidential form. No insurance sales pitch – just straight answers about your coverage and options.