Health Insurance – Emergency Medicaid
What it is
Emergency Medicaid is a program that covers emergency medical services for those not eligible for regular Medicaid. It ensures necessary treatment in urgent situations. Emergency Medicaid only covers emergency situations, and it is important to quickly move to normal Medicaid or a private health insurance plan to avoid a period of time where you have no coverage.
Coverage
Emergency Medicaid typically covers the following services:
Emergency room visits: Emergency medical care received in an emergency room.
Hospitalization: Inpatient hospital services related to emergency conditions.
Emergency surgeries: Medically necessary emergency surgical procedures.
Urgent medical treatments: Urgent medical treatments are needed to stabilize the person's condition.
Ambulance services: Emergency transportation by ambulance.
Eligibility
It's available to everyone, including low-income Ukrainians in TPS without humanitarian parole, as long as your income is below a certain amount (typically, 138% of the federal poverty level for adults, and higher for children). The details might vary by state, so contact your state's Medicaid office.
Duration
The duration of Emergency Medicaid coverage can vary depending on the specific circumstances and the state you reside in. It is designed to provide temporary coverage for emergency medical services until the urgent situation is stabilized. Once the emergency is resolved, individuals are typically transitioned to regular Medicaid or other appropriate healthcare programs.
How to apply
Inform the hospital staff: When you arrive at the hospital for emergency medical services and do not have health insurance, tell the hospital staff about your situation as soon as you arrive.
Ask about Emergency Medicaid: Ask the hospital staff about applying for Emergency Medicaid and express that you need help accessing healthcare services. The staff will assist you with the rest of the process.
It's important to note that the process may vary depending on the state and hospital policies. Following these steps will help initiate the application process for Emergency Medicaid at the hospital and ensure that you receive the necessary care.
You have options for healthcare
Navigating the US healthcare system can seem daunting, but you have many options available to help you including:
For more general info about what it’s like to obtain health care in the US, the documents you’ll need, and how to apply, visit our healthcare general info page.