Can med students apply for medicaid?

[go1981]

I don't feel like getting my school's health insurance. Is this possible?

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[liverotcod]

I don't feel like getting my school's health insurance. Is this possible?

Depends on the state. Generally, adults are not covered. In my state, parents with young children are covered under an add-on state program, which my family is on. It's wonderful.

 

[lasek]

I don't feel like getting my school's health insurance. Is this possible?

It depends on your income. If you're income is less then something, i dont remember the number, you should be able to get it or one of their other programs (ie family first). Try to apply, at worst you'll be denied.

 

[AmoryBlaine]

I don't feel like getting my school's health insurance. Is this possible?

Possible, but pretty dishonest if its just b/c "you don't feel like" getting available health insurance.

 

[LO281OK]

Possible, but pretty dishonest if its just b/c "you don't feel like" getting available health insurance.

Probably translates into "Don't feel like taking out more loans to pay for my schools health insurance." ?

If you qualify, you qualify... pass judgements elsewhere.

 

[liverotcod]

Probably translates into "Don't feel like taking out more loans to pay for my schools health insurance." ?

If you qualify, you qualify... pass judgements elsewhere.

For my family (I have two young children), the price was over $7,500/year for the plan the school offered. Also, the plan had high deductibles, only paid 80%, and had a pretty awful prescription plan.

We just couldn't make our budget work paying the premium plus the rest on my loans. We certainly qualified, because we have zero income with two children. Loans are not income.

I would feel guilty about using it if it were taking away from other families that are poor not-by-choice. Or if I hadn't been paying taxes for fifteen years. Or if I didn't have children (which would disqualify my anyway).

 

[lilnoelle]

For my family (I have two young children), the price was over $7,500/year for the plan the school offered. Also, the plan had high deductibles, only paid 80%, and had a pretty awful prescription plan.

We just couldn't make our budget work paying the premium plus the rest on my loans. We certainly qualified, because we have zero income with two children. Loans are not income.

I would feel guilty about using it if it were taking away from other families that are poor not-by-choice. Or if I hadn't been paying taxes for fifteen years. Or if I didn't have children (which would disqualify my anyway).

How much does medicaid cover and what does it take to get on it?
Do they look at last years taxes or current income?

 

[liverotcod]

How much does medicaid cover and what does it take to get on it?
Do they look at last years taxes or current income?

Covers everything (we've had done) at 100%: $0 co-pay for visits or prescriptions. I believe the application just looked at current income. No dental.

 

[SanDiegoSOD]

Medicaid coverage varies by state. It's incredible in Vermont; its not so comprehensive in Texas. No matter where you live, however, coverage is going to be very inexpensive - the trick is finding a doctor who will take your insurance. You'll probably get more facetime with nurses and less time with physicians than you're used to with private insurance coverage.

 

[LO281OK]

How much does medicaid cover and what does it take to get on it?
Do they look at last years taxes or current income?

Most states have a site describing their medicaid benefits and requirements. Usually under something like the Dept. of Health & Human Services (DHHS)... hope that helps.

 

[AmoryBlaine]

For my family (I have two young children), the price was over $7,500/year for the plan the school offered. Also, the plan had high deductibles, only paid 80%, and had a pretty awful prescription plan.

We just couldn't make our budget work paying the premium plus the rest on my loans. We certainly qualified, because we have zero income with two children. Loans are not income.

I would feel guilty about using it if it were taking away from other families that are poor not-by-choice. Or if I hadn't been paying taxes for fifteen years. Or if I didn't have children (which would disqualify my anyway).

Yeah, that sounds like a tough situation, our plan is pretty good.

The fact of the matter is that you shouldn't go onto Medicaid just b/c you don't want to take out more loans. You WILL be able to pay off your loans, so you shouldn't avoid them just because you temporarily qualify for a government program.

 

[AmoryBlaine]

Probably translates into "Don't feel like taking out more loans to pay for my schools health insurance." ?

If you qualify, you qualify... pass judgements elsewhere.

That's like saying, "it's legal, so it has to be morally ok."

 

[moinmoin]

.

 

[LO281OK]

That's like saying, "it's legal, so it has to be morally ok."

Not even close. I am talking about qualifying for a gov't assistance program, not related to criminal law (like you imply). Unless you think it is criminal to accept Medicaid as a medical student?

I've seen this argument hashed out over and over again in these forums. So explain to me how it is IMMORAL for a medical student who qualifies for Medicaid to accept the coverage. What is the THRESHOLD for moral Medicaid usage? Do you have to be permanently and hopelessly indigent? Are you stealing from tax payers because you could take a high-interest personal loan to pay for 80% health coverage for you and your children? Do you realize how hard it is to qualify for Medicaid? How low the income and accessible assets standards are? Have you ever lived in a position where you qualified for Medicaid?

Temporary qualification is part of the original purpose of all welfare legislation. Should need-based financial aid be refused? What about merit-based aid? Should you turn down the subsidized portion of Stafford loans for which you qualify simply because you will be able to pay back the interest one day? For that matter, shouldn’t you turn down all government guaranteed loans for the same reason? In fact, shun all types of government assistance… remember this when you are making the big bucks as a doctor. Forsake all tax breaks, shelters, deductions or refunds. After all, you can afford to pay them! I ask again, what makes it immoral for a medical student to accept aid for which he/she qualifies?

 

[Flopotomist]

I ask again, what makes it immoral for a medical student to accept aid for which he/she qualifies?

I would suggest that the immorality comes from the fact that medicaid serves not as a form of universal health coverage for people unwilling to finance their own healthcare, but rather as a safety net for those unable to do so. The distinction here being between UNWILLING (med student refusing to get a loan) and UNABLE (person living in poverty).

The reality is that the pie is only so big, and the more slices we take out, the less pie there is. If ALL medical students (or for that matter, all students) did this, there would be no health care money left for those that truly need it. How would it be moral to bankrupt the medical safety net in your pursuit of becoming a provider of medicine?

Put my vote in the "immoral" column.

 

[AmoryBlaine]

Not even close. I am talking about qualifying for a gov't assistance program, not related to criminal law (like you imply). Unless you think it is criminal to accept Medicaid as a medical student?

I've seen this argument hashed out over and over again in these forums. So explain to me how it is IMMORAL for a medical student who qualifies for Medicaid to accept the coverage. What is the THRESHOLD for moral Medicaid usage? Do you have to be permanently and hopelessly indigent? Are you stealing from tax payers because you could take a high-interest personal loan to pay for 80% health coverage for you and your children? Do you realize how hard it is to qualify for Medicaid? How low the income and accessible assets standards are? Have you ever lived in a position where you qualified for Medicaid?

Temporary qualification is part of the original purpose of all welfare legislation. Should need-based financial aid be refused? What about merit-based aid? Should you turn down the subsidized portion of Stafford loans for which you qualify simply because you will be able to pay back the interest one day? For that matter, shouldn’t you turn down all government guaranteed loans for the same reason? In fact, shun all types of government assistance… remember this when you are making the big bucks as a doctor. Forsake all tax breaks, shelters, deductions or refunds. After all, you can afford to pay them! I ask again, what makes it immoral for a medical student to accept aid for which he/she qualifies?

Whooooooa there hoss. See next post.

 

[AmoryBlaine]

I would suggest that the immorality comes from the fact that medicaid serves not as a form of universal health coverage for people unwilling to finance their own healthcare, but rather as a safety net for those unable to do so. The distinction here being between UNWILLING (med student refusing to get a loan) and UNABLE (person living in poverty).

The reality is that the pie is only so big, and the more slices we take out, the less pie there is. If ALL medical students (or for that matter, all students) did this, there would be no health care money left for those that truly need it. How would it be moral to bankrupt the medical safety net in your pursuit of becoming a provider of medicine?

Put my vote in the "immoral" column.

👍
I 2nd the opinion of this wise squirrel. There is a big difference between "qualifying" for a service because you are busy studying for a degree that's going to make you a pile of money and qualifying for assistance because you didn't have good educational opportunities or because you are physically unable to work.

So you qualify, great, and in your position as head of a family with children, far be it from this single, 25 year old to tell you what to do. Man I just used alot of commas.

In the same vein, please recognize the validity of what the Flop and I are saying. It is not right for a bunch of people in their mid-20s to go on government assistance simply because they don't FEEL like taking out readily available loans which they will be able to pay back.

 

[SanDiegoSOD]

The reality is that the pie is only so big, and the more slices we take out, the less pie there is. If ALL medical students (or for that matter, all students) did this, there would be no health care money left for those that truly need it. How would it be moral to bankrupt the medical safety net in your pursuit of becoming a provider of medicine?

In theory, you're correct; however, in practice, you're wrong. The pie is infinite in size. What happens when the US reaches a new level (and supposed ceiling) of national debt? Congress votes to increase the maximum debt allowed. The pie is growing and will continue to grow as long as the fiscal policy of the past eight decades remains as is.

And if all medical students took a piece of the pie, I wouldnt worry too much about it - they will pay it back at least 100-fold over the course of their lifetimes.

 

[AmoryBlaine]

If you think the people in those two categories you mentioned above are the only ones on Medicaid, then you are sadly mistaken.

Obviously I don't think that, but thank you for the lesson in common knowlegde. I would argue that you're not going to find alot of middle class people who went to good high schools and whose parents encouraged them to go to college who are now on Medicaid. News flash: most people in medical school come from that category. Are there exceptions? You bet.

 

[AmoryBlaine]

Well its actually not obvious what you were thinking when you posted earlier. There are people out there who think that government programs are 1. efficient, 2. equitable, and 3. only used by those who are truly in need. All three of those incorrect, as you obviously know.

Obviously.

But I think we digress from the topic at hand.

 

[LO281OK]

I would suggest that the immorality comes from the fact that medicaid serves not as a form of universal health coverage for people unwilling to finance their own healthcare, but rather as a safety net for those unable to do so. The distinction here being between UNWILLING (med student refusing to get a loan) and UNABLE (person living in poverty).

The reality is that the pie is only so big, and the more slices we take out, the less pie there is. If ALL medical students (or for that matter, all students) did this, there would be no health care money left for those that truly need it. How would it be moral to bankrupt the medical safety net in your pursuit of becoming a provider of medicine?

Put my vote in the "immoral" column.

You're assuming all students qualify, which is not the case. Most of the time you must have children to qualify. So you are presenting an impossible situation (ALL students taking up the Medicaid funds) and saying that makes it immoral for any medical student who DOES qualify to take the benefit. Can you find evidence of a situation where someone obviously qualified for Medicaid, but was denied because funds ran out? What percentage of Medicaid qualifiers are students and their families?

You are also assuming that anyone that is not a student and qualifies is involuntarily qualified for Medicaid. What about those who voluntarily quit high school? Those who voluntarily leave a job with medical benefits? Those who voluntarily begin taking illicit drugs? Those who voluntarily decide not to improve their situation? Those who voluntarily have more children when they cannot support the ones they have? Those who voluntarily make any of the number of mistakes that people make? Exactly who is to decide which voluntary action qualifies and which does not?

The government established the qualifying criteria with full knowledge that students with children would be able to receive benefits. Obviously the lawmakers found that to be a worthy investment: Those who are trying to improve their situation and thereby will impact society in a positive manner.

 

[AmoryBlaine]

You're assuming all students qualify, which is not the case. Most of the time you must have children to qualify. So you are presenting an impossible situation (ALL students taking up the Medicaid funds) and saying that makes it immoral for any medical student who DOES qualify to take the benefit. Can you find evidence of a situation where someone obviously qualified for Medicaid, but was denied because funds ran out? What percentage of Medicaid qualifiers are students and their families?

You are also assuming that anyone that is not a student and qualifies is involuntarily qualified for Medicaid. What about those who voluntarily quit high school? Those who voluntarily leave a job with medical benefits? Those who voluntarily begin taking illicit drugs? Those who voluntarily decide not to improve their situation? Those who voluntarily have more children when they cannot support the ones they have? Those who voluntarily make any of the number of mistakes that people make? Exactly who is to decide which voluntary action qualifies and which does not?

The government established the qualifying criteria with full knowledge that students with children would be able to receive benefits. Obviously the lawmakers found that to be a worthy investment: Those who are trying to improve their situation and thereby will impact society in a positive manner.

Basically a good point, although I think it is pretty easy for those of us blessed with brains and natural abilities to judge others who haven't done quite so well. I mean, those of us that have made it to med school are probably much less likely to have "voluntarily" dropped out of HS because we didn't understand algebra.

Small point: I'm not sure that citing the wisdom of the federal government does much to improve your case 😀 .

 

[LO281OK]

Basically a good point, although I think it is pretty easy for those of us blessed with brains and natural abilities to judge others who haven't done quite so well. I mean, those of us that have made it to med school are probably much less likely to have "voluntarily" dropped out of HS because we didn't understand algebra.

Small point: I'm not sure that citing the wisdom of the federal government does much to improve your case 😀 .

Like I said before I have seen this played out a few times in these forums. I also know that there is virtually no chance for us to change each other's minds or win over the masses by our obscure appeals on a little travelled internet bulletin board. I agree partially with your statements, mostly with my own. Such is the nature of the beast. Now I remember why I decided not to use my polisci degree for anything like Law School...

G'day!

 

[SanDiegoSOD]

I also know that there is virtually no chance for us to change each other's minds or win over the masses by our obscure appeals on a little travelled internet bulletin board.

Haha... It's often said that arguing on the internet is like running in the special olympics... (if you dont know the rest of that statement, PM me for the completely un-PC ending)

 

[lilnoelle]

For those that qualify for medicaid (as I do), it is because we have children and our spouse's don't make enough money to support the family/cover our insurance. In fact, he doesn't make enough money to support the family, we will be using some of my financial aid for that as well. The argument that we should take out more loans is only good one if we can take out more loans - but we can't unless we go to some odd ball lender. Banks will only loan up to what the school includes in their financial aid package which only covers the student's needs, not the family's needs. I have enough financial aid money to cover my own insurance but not enough to pay $600 extra a month to put my children on my husband's policy. For me, it is most likely that either I will use medicaid for my children or they go uninsured... which is better?

 

[skypilot]

Hey if you qualify and you want to use Medicaid then go ahead. Its your tax dollars at work, why not? Every other developed country has universal coverage except for this one. Why shouldn't people take advantage of a government program that is set up for them? You will have many opportunities to pay the money and service back when you are making $$ as a doc. Just be sure to use them then.

 

[nontradappl]

In theory, you're correct; however, in practice, you're wrong. The pie is infinite in size. What happens when the US reaches a new level (and supposed ceiling) of national debt? Congress votes to increase the maximum debt allowed. The pie is growing and will continue to grow as long as the fiscal policy of the past eight decades remains as is.

And if all medical students took a piece of the pie, I wouldnt worry too much about it - they will pay it back at least 100-fold over the course of their lifetimes.

Infact the pie is not infinite in size. Medicaid is a state-funded organization. Albeit it is partially subsidized by the federal government, the majority of the money comes from the state. With today's tight state budgets, the pool of money for Medicaid is increasingly small. What the states will do when the money runs out, is they actually lower the defined poverty line for that particular state. So by taking Medicaid when you could use student insurance, you may screw a family earning $10000 per year out of insurance when they lower the poverty line next year to say $7500. Point being, pie is not infinite. The state bends the rules to fit their budget each year.

 

[t33sg1rl]

Warning:
check your school's requirements, too. My school allows us to be on any health insurance we want, but they have specific requirements for the level of coverage we have to have. Most private plans pass, but none of the government plans are allowed. You can put your family on Nedicaid, but the student has to have a comprehensive policy. Call your school and ask if they have a policy.

 

[Flopotomist]

Infact the pie is not infinite in size. Medicaid is a state-funded organization. Albeit it is partially subsidized by the federal government, the majority of the money comes from the state. With today's tight state budgets, the pool of money for Medicaid is increasingly small. What the states will do when the money runs out, is they actually lower the defined poverty line for that particular state. So by taking Medicaid when you could use student insurance, you may screw a family earning $10000 per year out of insurance when they lower the poverty line next year to say $7500. Point being, pie is not infinite. The state bends the rules to fit their budget each year.

One other way they make the pie big enough is by reducing compensation to physicians. You end up (in a small way) hurting all of your classmates when you do this by setting a precedent that leads to overall lower wages in the future.

 

[Luba Licious]

Warning:
check your school's requirements, too. My school allows us to be on any health insurance we want, but they have specific requirements for the level of coverage we have to have. Most private plans pass, but none of the government plans are allowed. You can put your family on Nedicaid, but the student has to have a comprehensive policy. Call your school and ask if they have a policy.

Does this include Tricare? Because Tricare is as comprehensive as they come, and also is government. I can't see them requiring more than Tricare provides.

 

[JohnnyOU]

Another point to consider:
Most of your colleagues will probably end up finding out.
If you don't mind everyone in your life knowing you chose medicaid over paying for your own insurance, then do whatever you want.

Good luck
Johnny

 

[akpete]

My school requires us to be on their group insurance if we're not on our parents. So I had to drop my annual $540 insurance to get their $2000+ insurance. Yeah, theirs covers more (I had $2500 deductable before compared to HMO with $10 copays now), but I haven't been sick in >10 years, and only wanted basically a major medical type of plan. So I have to take out that much more in loans. I'm okay with this in the end, but I think it should be our choice instead of being forced.


The arguments are all fine and good, but NoelleRuckman makes a great point, which nobody seems to have noticed. It's gonna be people with families that qualify for the most part.

 

[heyjack70]

For those that qualify for medicaid (as I do), it is because we have children and our spouse's don't make enough money to support the family/cover our insurance. In fact, he doesn't make enough money to support the family, we will be using some of my financial aid for that as well. The argument that we should take out more loans is only good one if we can take out more loans - but we can't unless we go to some odd ball lender. Banks will only loan up to what the school includes in their financial aid package which only covers the student's needs, not the family's needs. I have enough financial aid money to cover my own insurance but not enough to pay $600 extra a month to put my children on my husband's policy. For me, it is most likely that either I will use medicaid for my children or they go uninsured... which is better?

I agree completely. The government health programs are in place for people who can't afford care to get it, regardless of academic station.

I've heard arguments saying that going to Med School is a not a right, but a privelege. And if you're in Med School, you've at least got a bachelors degree, probably. So you should go get a job and support your family rather than utilizing government programs. I think this reasoning is crap. Medical students with kids are probably the most deserving of government assistance. They haven't dropped out of school, they are successful and well on their way to becoming good citizens of the USA.

To all medical students with kids, Rock on.

 

[Obedeli]

I don't feel like getting my school's health insurance. Is this possible?

Yes, you can get medicaid and I will leave it at that. Trust me, I know what I am talking about and I will not debate this with anyone.

 

[Classof2010]

What if you're married with kids and meet the Medicaid income requirement, but you also own a couple cars that are paid off and a house with substantial equity? Any chance you could still get Medicaid, or do your assets disqualify you?