MaineCare (formerly known as Medicaid)
MaineCare is a joint
state and federally funded program that provides health care coverage
to people who meet their financial guidelines. Financial eligibility
is determined by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Bureau of
Family Independence. An application for MaineCare can be acquired
by calling or visiting any DHHS regional office (refer to page 20).
MaineCare
is sometimes referred to as the payor of last resort. In other words,
it is a secondary insurance.
Sometimes children under the age of 18 (or 19 if the child is a full-time
student) may receive MaineCare through an income waiver (Katie Beckett
or Deeming) if it is determined that the medical needs of the child are
so great that they will need this insurance in order to have their child
remain at home.
As with SSI and SSDI, regardless of whether or not your child
qualifies for benefits before the age of 18, they must reapply to determine
eligibility
for MaineCare as an adult. For those who qualify for SSI, MaineCare is
a benefit that they will automatically receive if they continue to remain
eligible for SSI as an adult. MaineCare will continue to be provided
to a person as long as they are receiving at least $1.00 in SSI. If someone
is determined ineligible for SSI, then it is important to apply for MaineCare
at the age of 18 to see if their income may qualify them for MaineCare.
In addition, the Department of Behavioral and Developmental Services
manages specific MaineCare benefits for those who qualify for their services.
There is a link between the services that are provided by BDS and MaineCare.
Feel free to ask the representative from BDS with whom you are working
to help you to understand this linkage.
As was mentioned in the Social Security section of this guide, keeping
accurate records related to MaineCare correspondence and medical bills
is essential. In addition, it is important to keep asking questions until
you understand what is expected of you and what you can expect from others.
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