Medicaid is a type of government-sponsored medical insurance program (jointly funded by states and the federal government) that helps alleviate medical costs for people with low income and resources. There is a process to obtaining this where you apply for this medical assistance, and if you meet the requirement you get into the program.
Medicaid Eligibility In Roanoke, Virginia
Eligibility is determined according to each state’s laws, income, age, and other information, and this also holds true for Virginia. Medicaid in Roanoke covers children under 19 years, pregnant women, parents, and caretakers of dependent children, blind or other disabled individuals, and adults aged 65 years and over.
There are basically two distinct eligibility requirements for the health assistance program. They are:
- Financial requirement – this system uses the method called Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI). This method considers taxable income and tax filing relationships to determine the financial eligibility of the applicant for Medicaid. Some categories of people like the disabled, and elderly (above 65) are however exempted from this.
- Non-financial requirements – individuals who apply must also meet certain requirements that aren’t based on money. Applicants must be citizens of the United States, or at least be lawful permanent residents and reside in the state they want to receive the Medicaid, in this case, Roanoke, Virginia. However, some eligibility groups are limited by age and pregnancy or parenting status.
You can click here to read more about Medicaid in Roanoke, how to go about it if you don’t have it already, and how you can take advantage of it.
Medicaid Dentistry In Roanoke, Virginia
Dentistry, which is also known as dental/oral medicine, is a branch of medicine that deals with disorders and conditions of the oral cavity, as well as its prevention, and cure.
Dental care is very important for every stage of life, from infancy to adulthood. Asides general dentistry, there are also various arms like pediatric dentistry, orthodontist, prosthodontist, periodontics, etc. which are all specialist aspects with targeted focuses within the profession.
Studies have shown that there are a lot of great dentists in Roanoke, but beyond their availability is an interesting twist where only a handful of them actually accept Medicaid.
Children and adults eligible for Medicaid are entitled under the law to comprehensive dental services which includes preventive and restorative services. As you may have guessed, the number of people who utilize this program is extremely low due to factors which include but are not limited to lack of dentists who participate in making this happen for them. Some of the other reasons why only a few dentists participate in Medicaid are:
- Cumbersome administrative requirements. Most people do not even want to deal with anything with the government imprinted on it because of how hectic, non-straightforward, and bureaucratic it can be.
- The issue of low reimbursement rate. It tells on their bottom line when they have to carry out the procedure, which is their own end of the bargain and then have to wait on the government to do theirs, which usually is a low percentage. In comparison with private insurance companies, it’s low.
- Lack of education on the part of the beneficiaries as to what the program covers for them. Where there is ignorance, abuse is inevitable.
- Your practice could get shut down. If the government gets a wave of some form of impropriety or a disgruntled employee, it could spell doom. No one is willing to sign off their life and license to the government.
- Some of the beneficiaries are unreliable probably because it’s free.
Amidst all of these factors that seemingly make it look difficult to accept Medicaid as a dental practice, establishments like the Eschenbach family dentistry have been able to look at the brighter and bigger picture and decide to accept it.
Sometimes, it’s not all about the money but about giving back. It’s seeing it as community service knowing that if it’s a child, that dental issue can affect him for the rest of his life. Sometimes, it could just be about being human, knowing that the patient (adult or child) really needs the service. Pains associated with the tooth ache can be excruciating and unbearable. It would therefore be unfair to turn down someone who’s fallen into hard times in their hour of genuine need.
In Conclusion
Finding an approved Medicaid dental practice doesn’t have to be that difficult as highlighted above. There are some who have chosen against all odds to opt into the program and help. So, if you’re in Roanoke, Virginia, you don’t have to be stranded or travel across states to find help.
Get started by finding out your eligibility status, apply to be enrolled in the program if you’re eligible, and enjoy all that it covers for you. Remember to ask questions and get proper education on what your plan covers and utilize it fully because even though you aren’t paying for it, the government is. Make it count.