Medicaid Archives - Healthedly Insurance Services

Understanding Texas’ Maternal Healthcare: Medicaid Pregnancy Coverage

Texas’ maternal health outcomes are some of the worst in the nation. High rates of mortality and morbidity continue at an all-time high among pregnant women. For many Texas women, Medicaid coverage is the only affordable option for receiving the maternal care they need during pregnancy. However, understanding Medicaid eligibility in Texas for pregnancy can be confusing and complex. Here, we discuss what pregnant women in Texas need to know about Medicaid pregnancy coverage, as well as the impact of Medicaid on maternal health outcomes in the state.

What is Texas’ Maternal Mortality Rate?

Texas’ maternal mortality rate (MMR) is an alarming indicator of the state’s poor maternal health outcomes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the MMR for Texas was the highest in the nation in 2015, with a rate of 32.3 deaths per 100,000 live births. This rate is more than double the national MMR, which was 14.6 in 2015.

In response to these troubling figures, the state of Texas launched the Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Task Force in 2013. The task force was charged with studying the causes of maternal mortality and making recommendations to improve outcomes.

What is Texas’ Medicaid Pregnancy Coverage?

Medicaid is a government health insurance program for low-income individuals and families, including pregnant women. In Texas, Medicaid is administered through the state Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC).

In order to be eligible for Medicaid in Texas, pregnant women must meet certain income and resource requirements. For example, a pregnant woman must have a household income at or below 133% of the federal poverty level. Additionally, the pregnant woman’s resources, such as bank accounts and investments, must not exceed $2,000.

If a pregnant woman meets the income and resource requirements, she may be eligible for full Medicaid coverage for her pregnancy and post-partum care. This coverage includes physician visits, labor and delivery care, and post-partum care.

How Does Medicaid Impact Maternal Health Outcomes in Texas?

The Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Task Force has found that Medicaid coverage is an important factor in improving maternal health outcomes in Texas. Studies have found that pregnant women who have Medicaid coverage are more likely to seek prenatal care. This can improve pregnancy and childbirth outcomes.

Did you recently lose your Medicaid coverage? Reach out to a Healthedly agent today to learn more about options available to you. Call us at 855-522-2201.

February 20, 2023

The End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency: Details on Health Insurance and Access

COVID-19, Medicaid, News

The outbreak of COVID-19 resulted in a public health emergency declared by the U.S. government in March 2020. This declaration allowed the government to implement emergency measures to protect citizens’ health, such as expanding access to health insurance coverage, providing funds for vaccine development, and offering economic aid.

On February 4th, 2021, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the end of the public health emergency. This announcement ushers in a new era of health insurance coverage and access. Here’s what you need to know about the new developments.

Expanded Health Care Coverage and Benefits

The end of the public health emergency has enabled HHS to expand healthcare coverage and benefits for individuals and families. The new measures include:

Expanded coverage for telehealth services: Telehealth services enable individuals to access health care remotely without having to leave their homes. HHS has permitted for expanded coverage of telehealth services for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries.

Increased access to non-emergency medical transportation: HHS has also increased access to non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) to ensure that individuals without access to transportation can get to their medical appointments.

Increased access to health services in rural areas: HHS has expanded access to health services in rural areas by increasing access to telehealth services and providing funds for rural health clinics.

Improved Access to Health Insurance Coverage

The end of the public health emergency has also led to improved access to insurance coverage. HHS has implemented the following measures to increase access to insurance coverage:

Extension of Medicaid coverage: Medicaid coverage has been extended for individuals and families struggling to pay for medical care due to the pandemic.

Increased access to marketplace coverage: HHS has also increased access to health insurance coverage in the marketplace. The new measures include a special enrollment period for those who have lost their job-based coverage due to the pandemic.

Increased access to Medicare coverage: HHS has also increased access to Medicare coverage for individuals over the age of 65.

HHS’s announcement of the end of the public health emergency has ushered in a new era of health insurance coverage and access. With the new measures, individuals and families now have improved access to insurance coverage and health care benefits.

Have you lost your Medicaid coverage? Healthedly has your back!

February 14, 2023

Reasons for Medicaid Cancellation

Medicaid

For some people, Medicaid can be a lifesaver, but for others it’s something that they want to get out of–and quick. For starters, let’s address what exactly Medicaid is.

Medicaid isn’t an insurance program. It’s an assistance program. This means that the government administered this coverage for people who are in need, either because of financial hardship or because of disability. When you’re in those positions, being on Medicaid can be a wonderful step up, but it also has its drawbacks.

Here are some Medicaid termination reasons.

#1. You’re Making Too Much Money

Medicaid is a program that you have to qualify for based on your income as it relates to your family size. You may qualify for Medicaid during periods of unemployment or underemployment. Older people who have no savings and are living on a single social security check may need to rely on Medicaid for their care.

But if you’re looking to make more money–if you get a job that gets you out of that low bracket where you’re qualified–then you’re going to want a different kind of insurance. For many people, that insurance may be a health plan through their new employer, but for others it may be a private insurance plan.

While millions of people enroll in Medicaid, the coverage must end when your income exceeds the limits placed on it by the state.

#2. You Move to a New State

Medicaid is not a federal program, but a state-run program, and every state manages their Medicaid programs differently. While you might qualify for this type of coverage in one state, there’s a chance that when you move to another state you will lose your coverage. Consequently, when moving from one state to another many people choose to look for private health insurance programs, or look to other federal funding plans like Medicare or Medicare Advantage.

#3. You Want More Flexibility with Doctors than Medicaid Offers

Because Medicaid is run by the government, there is a lot of red tape that accompanies coverage. That means that many doctors, medical facilities and even some hospitals will not accept Medicaid. While some of these programs create incentives to get Medicaid patients seen by as many doctors as possible, moving to a different healthcare program will open up doors to you that were previously closed.

#4. States Are Planning For The End of Continuous Enrollment Requirement

Medicaid is designed to be a safety net for people who are down on their luck, and there have been suspensions of renewal paperwork or eligibility redeterminations during the pandemic of Covid-19 for states which are receiving enhanced federal funding. As things are resuming more normally in healthcare, the resumption of these eligibility redeterminations will result in people losing their eligibility status for Medicaid. States will need to determine how to approach this change post-pandemic, and so you may need to prepare for a change in your coverage. For those experiencing canceling of their Medicaid, it’s time to look for other affordable health care solutions.

Whatever Your Reason For Getting Off Medicaid, There Are Options

For more information about getting off of Medicaid and switching to a Medicare program, contact us today.

August 23, 2022

Who Doesn’t Qualify for Medicaid?

Medicaid

A doctor meeting with an elderly male patient in an exam room.

Medicaid is a great resource if you’re eligible for it. Knowing whether or not you qualify for Medicaid can be a long and frustrating process of paperwork, never knowing where you stand. We’re going to try to answer some of the most common questions people have about getting Medicaid.

Do You Have to Be Working to Get Medicaid?

It depends on your state, your age, your level of disability, and several other factors. In most cases, you do not have to be working to qualify for Medicaid. You simply have to meet certain financial requirements. For a long time, there were no work requirements. However, a new policy in 2018 made it possible for states to require work-related activities for a specified number of hours each month.

Moreover, people who are over the age of 65, who are pregnant, or who qualify for Medicaid because of federal disability assistance do not ever have to work to qualify.

Of course, this change in policy has been controversial. Why? It is estimated that 80 percent of enrollees who would normally be required to work are unable to due to illness or injury. These individuals usually are acting as a primary caregiver, or a student.

Can You Get Medicaid Under 65?

Yes, anyone from infants to seniors is eligible for Medicaid. Medicaid is primarily an income and disability-based federal health coverage program. Children and pregnant women are commonly eligible. Children cannot work and the law excludes pregnant mothers from the work requirement.

What Makes You Not Eligible for Medicaid?

Medicaid coverage gets primarily determined by looking at the state you live in. Other factors include the number of people in your home, and the total income your household will make in the current year. How do you know if you qualify for Medicaid? Healthcare.gov has an easy-to-use tool that will help you determine if you are eligible for Medicaid.

If you make too much money for the size of your household, you will be ineligible for Medicaid. This is according to the rules set by your state.

The rules for Medicaid vary by state, and the laws change frequently in the Medicaid program. Some administrations focus on expanding Medicaid and some want to tighten the limits on Medicaid. The Department of Health of your state, or the United States Department of Health, will have the most up-to-date resources. This way, you can determine if you can get covered by Medicaid.

Still looking for the right Health Insurance Plan? Browse our plans and get a quote today!

June 10, 2022

Will Travel Insurance Cover Covid-19 Cancellations?

Life Insurance, Supplemental, Travel Medical

The coronavirus has changed the face of travel insurance. Prior to 2020, almost all travel insurance did not cover epidemics or pandemics as part of their regular health care coverage.

Remember, all travel insurances are different and you must always read the fine print on any travel insurance plans before you sign. Here are the general coverages that have come up with most travel insurance that covers COVID-19:

Travel insurance that covers COVID-19-related complications includes:

Emergency medical coverage
Emergency medical evacuation coverage
Trip interruption
Free cancellations

Examples of these coverages could include things like getting your trip expenses reimbursed in the event you contract COVID-19 before leaving. Or, you could get medical expenses paid for in a foreign country if you contract COVID-19 while abroad. Moreover, travel insurance could pay to cover accommodations in a foreign country if you are not allowed to return home. These are not covered in all travel insurance plans, but they are becoming more common.

Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) Coverage

One thing to keep an eye out for is a clause that some of the better travel insurances have, the CFAR clause, or “Cancel For Any Reason.” CFAR has a lot of restrictions applied to it, mostly related to timeframes and eligibility requirements. However, if you have this coverage you could have as much as 50-75% of your trip reimbursed by your travel insurance.

What Happens If You Get Sick with COVID-19 While Traveling?

Travel medical insurance that covers COVID-19 will make it easier and cheaper to get medical care in a foreign country.

Before getting any travel medical insurance that covers COVID, check with your current insurance carrier and see what benefits they offer for traveling abroad. Many of them will not offer any services out of the country. Or perhaps they will have certain countries where they do operate. You will often find your own private insurance company will have travel insurance plans that have special rates for members.

Comprehensive Travel Insurance Plans will offer you global benefits, no matter where you are. Keep in mind, however, that if you contract COVID in a country like Germany or Canada, you should make use of Comprehensive travel coverage. This does not apply if you get sick with COVID-19 in parts of Southeast Asia, Central America, South America, or Africa.

You will still receive the benefits of the travel insurance. However, it may be harder (due to poor communication lines in certain regions) to get immediate coverage.

Emergency Medical Evacuation Coverage gets you out of a foreign country if you are seriously ill or injured. These plans offer both ground transportation which to the nearest medical facility. The plans also offer transportation to an airplane for out of the country dispatching.

The choice to fly you out of a region for evacuation only happens if local physicians don’t feel they can adequately treat you.

Trip Interruption Coverage is in most travel insurance plans. It provides reimbursement for pre-paid, non-refundable expenses if the travel needs to be cut short. This could include expenses like cruise ship tickets, railway tickets, and hotel accommodations.

Get a quote for travel insurance today.

May 18, 2022

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