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The Medicaid program was established
by the Federal Government to assist the states in providing health care
for low-income people. Individual states design their own programs to
meet the needs of their citizens. Therefore, viewers of this Web page
on Medicaid should consider all information as strictly related to New York State.
Medicaid is means-tested, and the income-and resources-eligibility
figures for the various programs are listed in the schedule on the
following segment. In New York State the Medicaid program is financed 50% by the Federal
Government, 25% by New York State and 25% by New York City. Medicaid is administered by the state and, in the case
of New York State, the NYS Department of Health is the state agency
responsible for regulations and guidelines. New York City (Human Resources Administration) and, in the counties
outside NYC, the County Department of Social Services, directly
administers the programs, including eligibility determination.
Medicaid assists an individual of any age with very low
income, but my counseling and, therefore, this Web site, is directed to
Medicare beneficiaries (65 years and over or recipients of Social
Security Disability Pensions). Over the years I have also counseled a
small number of persons who were certified as disabled but were not
Medicare-eligible for various reasons.
Medicaid coverage in New York State is available to U. S. citizens, qualified aliens who entered the country prior
to August 22, 1996 and
qualified aliens who entered the country on or after August 22,
1996 after 5 years of residency. The five years of residency
qualification has been overturned by a June 2001 New York Court of
Appeals ruling on the Aliessa v. Novello case. The court decision stated that lawful
immigrants residing in New York State, who are
otherwise needy and eligible, cannot be denied Medicaid coverage. Applicants must
submit proof of citizenship/alien status, residency in New York State, resources and income, age and, if under 65, proof of
disability or blindness.
At the outset I urge that you seek counseling before applying at the
local Medicaid office. It is simply not enough for someone advising you
to say that you do or do not qualify financially for a particular
program, and that, therefore, is the sum total of eligibility; and then
refer you to a local Medicaid office. It is not always that
straightforward, and I believe you will see this as we "walk
through" a number of cases. At the end of the Medicaid Web Page
(segment 07) I will give you guidance on possible avenues of help.
Updated: December 3, 2001
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