Anyone use Medicaid/WIC during med school? Specifically in NY?

SDN Members don't see this ad. (About Ads)

So my spouse will not have medical insurance. She is due sometime later this year and could be covered in the school's insurance. However, that will run about 3500 per person (I might have to get it as well for her to be eligible? though I'm still covered by my parent's insurance. That will be about $10k + additional cost per year.

Has anyone ever signed up/used Medicaid during medical school? Is it too much of a hassle?
We are moving across country and I'm wondering if she would be eligible.

As of my financial situation, I do not have any money saved up, 10k debt acquired from my spouse (bummer), no personal debt, some baby (rainy) day funds, and no family support in the east coast.

Questions:

1. what is the maximum income to be eligible?
2. How much money will you be getting from the government in loans?
3. is 2 > 1

Uncle Phil says get drunk and be happy

Those programs are for people who are truly destitute and can't eventually pay off loans needed to cover expenses. You can take out loans to cover the school's health insurance and be able to pay it off later. You're going to be a doctor, for crying out loud. I can't help but think that future doctors using Medicaid when they have access to insurance plans for just $3500/person is taking advantage of the system. Though you may qualify, you're not the type of person that these programs were created to help.

Originally Posted by Go Ducks

Those programs are for people who are truly destitute and can't eventually pay off loans needed to cover expenses. You can take out loans to cover the school's health insurance and be able to pay it off later. You're going to be a doctor, for crying out loud. I can't help but think that future doctors using Medicaid when they have access to insurance plans for just $3500/person is taking advantage of the system. Though you may qualify, you're not the type of person that these programs were created to help.

I researched the OP's idea before starting medical school. From what I recall, I don't think he can legally use Medicaid/Wic without committing fraud. Anyone have spare time to look this up.

I have classmates that are on Medicaid and use Food Stamps. The government is going to take ~30% of your income when you practice. The little bit that you take now is a drop in the bucket compared to how much you will give back to the public during your lifetime.

Canada doesn't have a Food Stamps program for example. It keeps certain types of freeloaders out of their country. So use and abuse these socialist programs while you can because I used to know many people that took Food Stamps and other forms of government assistance on one side and dealt drugs on the other. Personally, I think these programs are abused by too many people and the more people that use them the more they will run out of money and get cut. So help fight the good fight and use it while you can

Yea, **** poor people! Freeloading *******s. Every last damn one of those foodstamp users.

http://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2011/...e-food-stamps/

Originally Posted by Shnurek

Personally, I think these programs are abused by too many people and the more people that use them the more they will run out of money and get cut. So help fight the good fight and use it while you can

Let me get this straight... you're saying that we should abuse government assistance programs as much as possible in hopes that they'll run out of money and be cut? These are programs that are seriously needed by poor families. They are the only things standing between America and countries like Kenya where poor people starve to death in shanty towns. Do you want poor people to be dying of cancer because they can't afford chemo or surgery? To literally starve to death? Because that's what would happen without government assistance programs.

Go visit a third world country and then decide whether we should cut programs like these.

Originally Posted by Go Ducks

Go visit a third world country and then decide whether we should cut programs like these.

Go visit Camden, NJ or Detroit, MI or NYC and see what socialism does to society.


(Camden, NJ)

You don't have to go to Africa to see third-world scenery.

Originally Posted by Shnurek

Go visit Camden, NJ or Detroit, MI or NYC and see what socialism does to society.

You don't have to go to Africa to see third-world scenery.

Having food stamps to ensure that people don't starve doesn't interfere with a capitalist economy. Besides, the picture that you just showed me proves MY point, not yours. So thanks for sharing.

Yea, let's not reform social programs to reduce fraud. Let's get rid of them all together because bootstraps and socialism.

No, these programs are abused to the maximum. I see this everyday where I live. You do realize that free food is given out by churches, shelters and businesses at the end of the day? My point is that people live off of these government programs, contribute nothing to society and just drain taxpayers' money. Sure there is a percentage of people that actually need these programs but I'd say the majority just abuse it. Reforming is a good solution.



Some of you may live in isolated rich communities so you do not know what really happens in poor urban areas. (EBT = Food Stamps card) Here is a sample:

And I see it work the way it's supposed to all the time down here in the south. Yay, anecdotes.

I know plenty of people in my tiny rural hometown that use food stamps to make ends meet. Hard working blue collar workers driving forklifts and working on farms.

Edit: didn't you go to some fancy prep school in NYC or something?

Originally Posted by Shnurek

No, these programs are abused to the maximum. I see this everyday where I live. You do realize that free food is given out by churches, shelters and businesses at the end of the day? My point is that people live off of these government programs, contribute nothing to society and just drain taxpayers' money. Sure there is a percentage of people that actually need these programs but I'd say the majority just abuse it. Reforming is a good solution.

This coming from the guy who, moments ago, was encouraging others to abuse the system as much as possible...

I know a fair amount about government programs and can assure you that, despite the racket the Republicans are making, the vast majority of people on these programs are not taking advantage of them. Those who are usually have problems with drugs or mental health. Should we just let drug addicts and poorly functioning schizophrenics die on our watch? Maybe we should round them up and kill them to get it over with faster.

Originally Posted by Go Ducks

Those programs are for people who are truly destitute and can't eventually pay off loans needed to cover expenses. You can take out loans to cover the school's health insurance and be able to pay it off later. You're going to be a doctor, for crying out loud. I can't help but think that future doctors using Medicaid when they have access to insurance plans for just $3500/person is taking advantage of the system. Though you may qualify, you're not the type of person that these programs were created to help.

My parents with 4 kids have been reporting negative income for several years because they still need to pay off loans they are living on and my spouse's parents make under 25k each with 6 kids. Is that not considered destitute?

My education was paid off by scholarships and working for a couple of years. I was just thinking to get aid (Medicaid/WIC) for my spouse and child.

Originally Posted by kautionwirez

My parents with 4 kids have been reporting negative income for several years because they still need to pay off loans they are living on and my spouse's parents make under 25k each with 6 kids. Is that not considered destitute?

My education was paid off by scholarships and working for a couple of years. I was just thinking to get aid (Medicaid/WIC) for my spouse and child.

What difference does it make how much money your parents earn? I'm not talking about them. I'm talking about you, a financially independent adult. You can afford to take out loans and pay them off later because you will have a high income potential and because those loans are a drop in the bucket compared to the cost of medical school anyway. The fact that you don't have loans from undergrad makes you even more able to take out a few extra loans to pay for medical insurance.

Originally Posted by Go Ducks

What difference does it make how much money your parents earn? I'm not talking about them. I'm talking about you, a financially independent adult. You can afford to take out loans and pay them off later because you will have a high income potential and because those loans are a drop in the bucket compared to the cost of medical school anyway. The fact that you don't have loans from undergrad makes you even more able to take out a few extra loans to pay for medical insurance.

Ok. Take it easy. Supporting a family on student loans is going to be a challenge. If his wife qualifies, she qualifies. Those are the rules.

To OP, here is the Medicaid screening for NYS. Your wife, becuase she is pregnant, is likely eligible.

https://apps.nyhealth.gov/doh2/appli...ingstarted.jsp

Although, pragmatically, you might want to consider the school health insurance. In many places, it might be easier to get healthcare via the school plan (in California, for example, Medicaid reimburses so low that doctors often refuse to take it).

Originally Posted by Shnurek

No, these programs are abused to the maximum. I see this everyday where I live. You do realize that free food is given out by churches, shelters and businesses at the end of the day? My point is that people live off of these government programs, contribute nothing to society and just drain taxpayers' money. Sure there is a percentage of people that actually need these programs but I'd say the majority just abuse it. Reforming is a good solution.

How is that abuse? Would you rather the person buy a bunch of ****ty junk food instead of real food?

Originally Posted by notbobtrustme

How is that abuse? Would you rather the person buy a bunch of ****ty junk food instead of real food?

Is this a joke?

Originally Posted by Shnurek

Go visit Camden, NJ or Detroit, MI or NYC and see what socialism does to society.

No, if the United States were a socialist country, we would provide better education and government services to those in need so that they could lift themselves out of poverty. The United States uses a band-aid system to fix a AAA: giving people food stamps and medicaid will not single handedly end the cycle of multi-generational poverty

Originally Posted by LisaFrank

No, if the United States were a socialist country, we would provide better education and government services to those in need so that they could lift themselves out of poverty. The United States uses a band-aid system to fix a AAA: giving people food stamps and medicaid will not single handedly end the cycle of multi-generational poverty

Do you have any idea how much money we spend per student in public schools?

Edit: And the data show that throwing more money at the system won't help. In 2008-2009, Utah spent the least per student ($6,356) while New York spent the most ($18,126). And guess what? Utah vastly out-performed New York. Money is not the solution.

Originally Posted by Dave89

Do you have any idea how much money we spend per student in public schools?

Edit: And the data show that throwing more money at the system won't help. In 2008-2009, Utah spent the least per student ($6,356) while New York spent the most ($18,126). And guess what? Utah vastly out-performed New York. Money is not the solution.

Of course money isn't the answer; it never is. The US actually spends more person student (just like in medicine) per student than any other country, yet our students do not perform as well.

The education gap in the US is a systemic problem: how do you expect children to perform well when their own parents have limited reading and math skills; when their parents have to work two jobs (i.e. parents can't check to see if their children are doing their homework/checking their work); where children live in a neighborhood where they are afraid to walk to school; where many children do not get enough food at home; etc

Addressing poverty, workers’ rights, education, and infrastructure/urban planning synergistically ameliorates the lives and opportunities for individuals living in poverty.

Originally Posted by LisaFrank

Of course money isn't the answer; it never is. The US actually spends more person student (just like in medicine) per student than any other country, yet our students do not perform as well.

The education gap in the US is a systemic problem: how do you expect children to perform well when their own parents have limited reading and math skills; when their parents have to work two jobs (i.e. parents can't check to see if their children are doing their homework/checking their work); where children live in a neighborhood where they are afraid to walk to school; where many children do not get enough food at home; etc

Addressing poverty, workers’ rights, education, and infrastructure/urban planning synergistically ameliorates the lives and opportunities for individuals living in poverty.

There was an interesting time period (late 19th - early 20th centuries) when immigrants' children did just this. The "challenges" faced by children today are, for the most part, laughable by historical standards.

Originally Posted by Dave89

There was an interesting time period (late 19th - early 20th centuries) when immigrants' children did just this. The "challenges" faced by children today are, for the most part, laughable by historical standards.

You're comparing apples to oranges. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, places like Camden and Detroit were filled with industrial jobs that required next-to-no formal education. Did you need to go to college to land a job that paid you a good wage and gave you benefits? No. In 2012, we are in a post-industrial information-based economy that requires a formal education for most jobs (or at least the good jobs), and unfortuatnely, there are many barriers that prevent people from obtaining the education they need in order to get a good job.

Originally Posted by Go Ducks

Those programs are for people who are truly destitute and can't eventually pay off loans needed to cover expenses. You can take out loans to cover the school's health insurance and be able to pay it off later. You're going to be a doctor, for crying out loud. I can't help but think that future doctors using Medicaid when they have access to insurance plans for just $3500/person is taking advantage of the system. Though you may qualify, you're not the type of person that these programs were created to help.

Don't listen to this joker living in the clouds, or anyone else on here. Go to your local social services office and apply, worst thing that happens is they turn you down. (they likely won't because you are, in fact, poor despite rumors of high income a decade from now)

Originally Posted by meister

Don't listen to this joker living in the clouds, or anyone else on here. Go to your local social services office and apply, worst thing that happens is they turn you down. (they likely won't because you are, in fact, poor despite rumors of high income a decade from now)

Exactly, don't listen to all these moral high horse people because even from a moral standpoint you will give back way more during your lifetime than almost anyone else that uses these public services. If I was in your position I wouldn't think twice about applying.

Thanks for all your advice/opinions. This was helpful.

Originally Posted by Shnurek

No, these programs are abused to the maximum. I see this everyday where I live. You do realize that free food is given out by churches, shelters and businesses at the end of the day? My point is that people live off of these government programs, contribute nothing to society and just drain taxpayers' money. Sure there is a percentage of people that actually need these programs but I'd say the majority just abuse it. Reforming is a good solution.

i mean you COULD buy 6 lobsters, 2 steaks and a case of mountain dew with your food stamps if you plan on eating only 8 meals in a month. from what i understand about humans (and forgive me i'm only a 3rd year medical student so my knowledge is limited) they tend to need to eat more than twice a week. I hear some even eat three times a day!!

Originally Posted by Go Ducks

Those programs are for people who are truly destitute and can't eventually pay off loans needed to cover expenses. You can take out loans to cover the school's health insurance and be able to pay it off later. You're going to be a doctor, for crying out loud. I can't help but think that future doctors using Medicaid when they have access to insurance plans for just $3500/person is taking advantage of the system. Though you may qualify, you're not the type of person that these programs were created to help.

I respectfully and wholeheartedly disagree with this sentiment.

This person is precisely whom these programs were created to help. They are part of a short term safety net designed to keep people healthy/alive when they are down. This is an investment in a student and his family. By providing these services at a better rate than he can get on the private market ($3,500/year, I think he said), the state is investing in his health. I can guarantee the taxes on his future earnings will vastly exceed the amount spent on supporting his family in residency.

The social safety net is not just a hand-out for the permanently destitute; it is best utilized as a leg-up for the temporarily poor.

OP: Last year, many of my classmates w/ families received Medicaid/WIC/SNAP, but PA just changed the eligibility rules that make it harder (but not impossible) for students to qualify. I realize you asked for NY, but I thought I'd share my experience. The benefits aren't anything spectacular, but they keep food on the table and stave off unaffordable medical bills.

Originally Posted by painmd87

I respectfully and wholeheartedly disagree with this sentiment.

This person is precisely whom these programs were created to help. They are part of a short term safety net designed to keep people healthy/alive when they are down. This is an investment in a student and his family. By providing these services at a better rate than he can get on the private market ($3,500/year, I think he said), the state is investing in his health. I can guarantee the taxes on his future earnings will vastly exceed the amount spent on supporting his family in residency.

The social safety net is not just a hand-out for the permanently destitute; it is best utilized as a leg-up for the temporarily poor.

OP: Last year, many of my classmates w/ families received Medicaid/WIC/SNAP, but PA just changed the eligibility rules that make it harder (but not impossible) for students to qualify. I realize you asked for NY, but I thought I'd share my experience. The benefits aren't anything spectacular, but they keep food on the table and stave off unaffordable medical bills.

+1.

I have seen far more people abuse unemployment, food stamps, and other social programs than I have seen people who actually needed them. IMO programs like this always work better in theory. Once the rules become transparent, too many people abuse the system. Yes, it's sad (in more way than one). OP, go for it. At least you will eventually contribute to society.

I have mixed feelings about this. On one hand I feel people shouldn't have kids unless they can afford them/be able to raise them in a healthy/happy environment. Going on food stamps/welfare in order to afford kids isn't great financial planning, especially if said person can have them in a few years without doing so. On the other hand, if the woman is going to be 40+, then I can better understand the desire.

One of the other posters made a great point - many doctors won't take Medicaid, so I would check into this if I were you before going this route.

If you're eligible, you're eligible. If there was a problem with certain people (i.e. students) being on Medicaid then the state/gov't should make these individuals ineligible. Yours is sort of a gray area - I personally wouldn't, but I wouldn't hold it against you if you did. I would hold it against someone like the lottery winner who still used food stamps cause technically she was eligible with 0 income from employment.

There will be people that abuse food stamps and other programs. But there are also people they really help. One of my now ex-relatives made a salary of 6 figures and stole food stamps from my grandfather, who used it (not to buy lobsters O_o) to buy much needed groceries, for example. She didn't need it, but she wanted to save money. You're always going to get people that try to cheat the system. Just have to weigh whether helping those who really need it outweigh those that will abuse it. I do think some reform is needed, but the idea is a good one. I don't think we should let people starve who have worked all their lives, and then through a bad streak of luck or whatever it may be don't have income any more. People that can work but choose to be on welfare/food stamps? Well, I don't agree with that.

I have a problem with free loading. I see so much abuse of the welfare system, it is sickening. No one should be on food stamps indefinitely, and way too many people are.

However, saying this, I know several student families on food stamps and have no problem with this, primarily because many schools don't offer enough financial aid for a complete family and I know that when they are done, they will give back much more than they took out. To me, these are the sorts of families the welfare system should be helping.

Originally Posted by LisaFrank

No, if the United States were a socialist country, we would provide better education and government services to those in need so that they could lift themselves out of poverty. The United States uses a band-aid system to fix a AAA: giving people food stamps and medicaid will not single handedly end the cycle of multi-generational poverty

LOL socialism

I dont anyone would ever wanna live in such a horrid socialist nation

'

Originally Posted by Shnurek

Since 1/3 of our GPD goes towards the military we have technology that is 20 years ahead of our time that is not even made public.

Before anyone else quotes this in a future argument, online or offline:
As a percent of GDP, defense spending is approximately 4-5%. During WWII, defense spending reached 35% of GDP. Hasn't been above 10% since the 1960s.

https://www.cia.gov/library/publicat.../2034rank.html
http://www.heritage.org/federalbudge...ement-spending
http://thenumbersguru.blogspot.com/2...-gdp-1940.html

OK, back to the topic at hand.

I can't believe how many people are bashing the OP. He is exactly the kind of person who food stamps should be given to - poor and working hard to better himself. Anticipated income is not a factor in deserving food stamps.

No harm in applying for food stamps and seeing what they say. Having kids will mean that you're likely to get approved.

You will put SO MUCH $$$ in the system when you're a doctor that you shouldn't worry about getting a few $ in government aid now.

Originally Posted by SnowyRox

I can't believe how many people are bashing the OP. He is exactly the kind of person who food stamps should be given to - poor and working hard to better himself. Anticipated income is not a factor in deserving food stamps.

No harm in applying for food stamps and seeing what they say. Having kids will mean that you're likely to get approved.

You will put SO MUCH $$$ in the system when you're a doctor that you shouldn't worry about getting a few $ in government aid now.

It'll be funny to see how many people will be bashing the OP when the government will take ~35% of their $200,000 or so paychecks. $200,000 - $70,000 = $130,000 just as a random example.

Originally Posted by Shnurek

It'll be funny to see how many people will be bashing the OP when the government will take ~35% of their $200,000 or so paychecks. $200,000 - $70,000 = $130,000 just as a random example.

you know that america has marginal tax rates right? that your money is taxed in increments and that there are also deductions?

....of course you didn't ....because facts are irrelevant to some people's political opinions

Originally Posted by skinMD

you know that america has marginal tax rates right? that your money is taxed in increments and that there are also deductions?

....of course you didn't ....because facts are irrelevant to some people's political opinions

Yes, I am aware. Hence the ~

I know an Anesthesiologist in New York City where his tax liability is 45% of his gross income. I also know an Optometrist in Connecticut where his tax liability is 17% of his gross income.

Originally Posted by skinMD

you know that america has marginal tax rates right? that your money is taxed in increments and that there are also deductions?

....of course you didn't ....because facts are irrelevant to some people's political opinions

Well....depending on how hard you get hit by AMT you can actually consistently get nailed at around 28%. Not as extreme as the 35% top marginal rate but AMT applies to your whole income so it hurts a lot more. The hidden gem of the American tax code :

Originally Posted by Shnurek

Yes, I am aware. Hence the ~

except it's nowhere near 35% ...more like 25% effective rate if you make 200k

Originally Posted by skinMD

except it's nowhere near 35% ...more like 25% effective rate if you make 200k

The overall Federal income tax rate for someone making 200k/year is around 25-30%. However, factor in state income taxes and FICA (7.65) and you will be paying out around 30-40% total. This depends on several factors (single/married, kids, employment situation).

Yeah, I don't have the patience to read through all the replies, though I saw enough to get the idea of what people are saying.

Ignore judgmental people and do what you need to do.
My 3 kids have Medicaid and it's worked out just fine. Their pediatrician takes it, the dentist takes it. We've had a few medical issues come up and I'm thankful for the insurance because otherwise I have no idea how I would have paid for it.

People need to get a life. This topic always becomes about politics and being judgmental.

For what it's worth, I take out maximum loans and still have to rely on assistance from family, even with Medicaid for my kids. No, I could not afford private insurance for them. And yes, I am exactly who these programs were designed to help--the type of person who is using the program as a way to get a step up so that in the future I will be able to provide for my family without assistance.

Originally Posted by ucladoc2b

The overall Federal income tax rate for someone making 200k/year is around 25-30%. However, factor in state income taxes and FICA (7.65) and you will be paying out around 30-40% total. This depends on several factors (single/married, kids, employment situation).

Thank you. Exactly what I meant except was too lazy to argue minutiae with this argumentative skinMD person.

Originally Posted by Go Ducks

Having food stamps to ensure that people don't starve doesn't interfere with a capitalist economy. Besides, the picture that you just showed me proves MY point, not yours. So thanks for sharing.

Lmao right. My father has owned a market for most of his life in Detroit. The system is abused unbelievably. Don't starve that's funny.

Originally Posted by JP2740

Lmao right. My father has owned a market for most of his life in Detroit. The system is abused unbelievably. Don't starve that's funny.

Agreed. People don't use food stamps for food if they have them. Many people sell for drug money or booze. Some people are homeless and cannot even apply for food stamps without help. I currently live in Memphis working on my dietetic internship, and I see an awful lot of alcoholics with BMIs below 18 (seen as low as 12). I also worked at WIC for a week, some good, some bad like everything else.

Originally Posted by JP2740

Lmao right. My father has owned a market for most of his life in Detroit. The system is abused unbelievably. Don't starve that's funny.

lol yup sounds like Detroit. The city where houses cost less than the yearly taxes for said houses. http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2012/02/...to-keep-homes/ The problem is the system and the people. Unfortunately, there is no politically correct solution that I am aware of.

Originally Posted by Go Ducks

Those programs are for people who are truly destitute and can't eventually pay off loans needed to cover expenses. You can take out loans to cover the school's health insurance and be able to pay it off later. You're going to be a doctor, for crying out loud. I can't help but think that future doctors using Medicaid when they have access to insurance plans for just $3500/person is taking advantage of the system. Though you may qualify, you're not the type of person that these programs were created to help.

You should learn more before you speak. There are a lot of medical students and residents who are currently using Medicaid and WIC for their child. My wife is expecting in September and we are on both programs. We are the exact population that these programs are designed for. We are not abusers or chronic users of the system. We find ourselves in need of assistance to take care of our future child and to meet the financial demands that are placed upon us. Although unlike a lot of people who abuse these programs, we will ultimately be off the government assisted program and we will contribute plenty to it in the future.

My wife and I have 300k in medical school and PT school debt. Don't preach to me about how privileged medical students are and how we should take out an extra 20-30k to cover the delivery of our child when we qualify for these two programs.

PS: I have my wife on our schools insurance. We pay $3000 per year for the ****tiest coverage I can think of. The maximum coverage is capped at $30,000! $30,000 total? Are you kidding me? There is also a $2,000 deductible and then 80% until the max is reached. Medicaid is a buffer for us and we will use it as long as we qualify for it.

Originally Posted by fahimaz7

You should learn more before you speak. There are a lot of medical students and residents who are currently using Medicaid and WIC for their child. My wife is expecting in September and we are on both programs. We are the exact population that these programs are designed for. We are not abusers or chronic users of the system. We find ourselves in need of assistance to take care of our future child and to meet the financial demands that are placed upon us. Although unlike a lot of people who abuse these programs, we will ultimately be off the government assisted program and we will contribute plenty to it in the future.

My wife and I have 300k in medical school and PT school debt. Don't preach to me about how privileged medical students are and how we should take out an extra 20-30k to cover the delivery of our child when we qualify for these two programs.

PS: I have my wife on our schools insurance. We pay $3000 per year for the ****tiest coverage I can think of. The maximum coverage is capped at $30,000! $30,000 total? Are you kidding me? There is also a $2,000 deductible and then 80% until the max is reached. Medicaid is a buffer for us and we will use it as long as we qualify for it.

Hopefully that last part shouldn't be a problem anymore for students since the ACA increases maximum coverage to $100,000 in 2012-2013 (if I remember right). Of course many places are using it as an excuse to raise premiums. That is seriously ridiculous though...you pay 10% of your yearly maximum coverage amount in premiums.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/0...usaolp00000009