Medicaid is basically an insurance program that is offered by each state for low income individuals. Each state is responsible for running their own Medicaid program, but in return for meeting federal guidelines, much of the cost is paid for by the federal government.

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which also administers Medicare, is responsible for ensuring that the states are following federal guidelines. There is no uniform name for the states programs though, so most states have a different name for their Medicaid Program. For instance, California refers to their Medicaid Program as Medi-Cal.

The name of the program is not the only difference among states, because each state is given a great deal of flexibility in so far as how they meet federal regulations. This results in a great number of differences in coverage and eligibility requirements from state to state.

Since each state's Medicaid Program can be extremely different, it is necessary to consult the states website, speak with them on the phone, or visit their office to answer specific questions about their program. You can visit a Medicaid Website Directory to find out their website address.

While the eligibility requirements can be very different state by state, they must offer coverage to people who fall into several specific categories. Medicaid is only available to Citizens of the United States or Legal Aliens.

Poverty, or low income, is one factor that is a requirement among all categories, but being poor by itself does not qualify someone for Medicaid. In fact, more than half of all Americans living in poverty do not qualify for Medicaid.

When Medicaid was originally created in 1965, it was intended for low income families, single parents, children, and the disabled. Today, in order to qualify, an individual must fall into one of these categories, in addition to meeting financial requirements.

In the case of children who are eligible for Medicaid, it is sometimes possible for the child's parents to also receive Medicaid Benefits. However, it is necessary for the parent to be a legal resident, but a child can receive Medicaid coverage even if their parents are do not hold a legal residency.

There are a number of disabilities that are eligible for Medicaid, including HIV, with Medicaid providing the bulk of all federal HIV health care funding. Even though HIV is covered by Medicaid, it is necessary that the disease has progressed to Aids. Aids is when T-Cell counts drop below 200.

Applications to receive Medicaid Benefits must be reviewed within 45 days, although states are given up to 90 days to review applications involving disabilities.

There have been several changes to Medicaid over the last few years, which were intended to help reduce Medicaid Fraud. These changes were part of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 and are in some cases controversial.

For instance, the government now looks back over the last years of an applicants financial history. Specifically, they are looking for any transfers of assets that exceed the states maximum asset limit, which for most states is $2,000. If the value of these transfers exceeds the maximum asset limit, the applicant is penalized against their Nursing Home Costs. As a result, a senior who has offered gifts to family members may have no money, but no be eligible to receive Medicaid.

States also now require proof of residency before approving an application for Medicaid.