Medicaid and non-vax

[Tari Mithrandir]

I asked about 2 months ago if you could lose medicaid for your child by choosing to not vax, and was told by a few moms here that you can't or that they haven't.
Our HMO called this afternoon to "make sure my daughter had her 6 month checkup and is up to date on her shots". Well, she is, and I said so. Now I am wondering if they called because they haven't been billed for her shots, because she did not get them. We talked to her ped and are not vaccinating her further until she is older (and at that point, we may decide to opt-out completely, but she will likely not be on Medicaid anymore), so for the moment she IS up to date, just not up to date following the AAP recommended schedule. But they didn't specify
It still angers me off that they had to call. And to be honest, now I am worried about where this is going to go from here.
Has anyone else had this happen? They have called/mailed us before to make sure we remembered her upcoming well visits, but have never called after the fact to make sure we went/she got her shots

[Marnica]

I don't have personal experience, but I do know that they cannot yank your Medicaid if you choose not to vaccinate, so even if you had told the truth it wouldn't have mattered because they can't force you to and cannot withhold benefits. But I can totally understand how annoying it must have been to get that call! Don't worry though. There is nothing they can do about it!

[Tari Mithrandir]

Thanks Healthcare in the US is somewhat new to me, and it scares me how much power everyone seems to have over our kids in this department. I mean, protecting children from abusive parents is one thing, but taking away our rights to actually parent and make informed decisions is bologny! And we live in NJ, so it is pretty much the worst place to be a non-vaxxer

[Emmeline II]

It is not unusual for insurance companies to call like that.

[MelMel]

my kids have always been on Medicaid and besides one bunch when my 6yr old was a few months, they haven't had any shots. we get things in the mail, and phone calls periodically, asking if we are keeping visits...but everyone I know on Medicaid gets them. whether they go or not, vax or not. its just something our Medicaid HMO here in Ohio does.

we have never gotten any negative reaction (besides maybe a raised eyebrow from an ER doc or triage nurse, and maybe a minute of dialogue) from the HMO, the hospitals, or any docs we have seen. not that I know of, at least.

[mommy2maya]

For medicaid patients, they are super vigilant and very alert to vaccination schedules. The reason for this is that medicaid is a program for low income families, and historically, low income families are least likely to vaccinate or seek regular medical care and are likely less educated about medical issues.

[ZoeyZoo]

I haven't experienced it with vaxes (not on Medicare but have insurance) but my state has called me for the newborn screen. They really didn't seem to care about the answer; they were just trying to make sure their paperwork was complete.

[MoonStarFalling]

We get pro vax letters every couple months. When I accidentally participated in the "case management" service they asked all sorts of personal questions made appointments FOR me, called and asked if I had went and what happened, asked if I had a crib etc. I quickly opted out of that that was more part of the WIC program. The state pushes vax very hard but they still can't pull your coverage for not vaxing (or doing WBV).

[Tari Mithrandir]

Thank you for your experiences/information It makes me a bit less nervous at any rate. We got DD her Vit K and Hep B at birth, and followed with her 2 and 4 month vaccinations. From some "mild" reactions she had and the research we did after the fact, I deeply regret giving in to having the vaccines done initially.
Living in NJ there is a lot of pressure about vaxxing, and I am quite nervous about having to stand up for our choices, but in no way do I want to jeopordize my daughter's future by vaccinating her now, and having to be on Medicaid right now makes it a little more nerve wracking for me

[G8P4]

Besides, you didn't lie. "Up to date " on shots can mean whatever you want it to mean. It can mean, according to the latest, up to date information, and careful consideration of all the knowledge out there on the subject, I have chosen to delay/selectively/not vax. So, your family is "up to date" with what you have decided you are comfortable with doing.

[Tari Mithrandir]

Originally Posted by G8P4

Besides, you didn't lie. "Up to date " on shots can mean whatever you want it to mean. It can mean, according to the latest, up to date information, and careful consideration of all the knowledge out there on the subject, I have chosen to delay/selectively/not vax. So, your family is "up to date" with what you have decided you are comfortable with doing.

That is exactly what I told my DH when I got off the phone with them because he looked at me completely shocked and basically said "You lied didn't you?". And it is what I will tell them if they ever do press the issue :\ If they had asked "Is your daughter up to date on the current AAP vaccination schedule?" I would have had to say no. But they didn't, and I was not about to elaborate and get into an argument

[Purple Cat]

I wouldn't take it so personally. I think its just part of a public health program to make sure people on Medicaid, who are least likely to see regular providers for preventive and on-going care, keep regular medical appointments. I don't think the call is about missing vaccines. It's about missing an "important" WBV, which by happenstance was established for vaccine purposes. Don't worry about it.

[Pumpkin_Pie]

My son has been on Medicaid since he was born, and I have never received a call or a letter regarding his vax status. The only thing that he has injected into his body is a shot of vitamin K at his birth, which I didn't even really want, but was scared into. Nothing since then, and not a peep from Medicaid. *knock on wood*

Although I do now have a Medicaid paid for Naturopath for him who said she is very happy that I did not vax. I think I could get a letter from her very easily saying that he shouldn't get them.

[yarngoddess]

Is there a state vaccination registry there? That could be part of why they are calling you too.

Take a deep breath, and just thank them for their concern and say that your child's healthcare is being handled by her DOCTOR. That's all I say.

Hugs- it's so intimidating, and how prying they are and how slimy they make you feel. I feel your pain.