Getting baby on Medicaid after a homebirth

[LoveChild421]

I can't remember what I did last time, I think I just called and they added ds1 to my medicaid account. I really need to get this baby added ASAP so that I can take him in to the pediatrician after the birth (we have chosen to have a newborn hearing screen done due to ds1's special needs, I also like to keep a check on bilirubin levels since ds1 had jaundice). I remember having to pay out of pocket for the first visit with ds1 and I want to avoid that this time.

Should I just call my member services # right after the birth or do I call the caseworker? I think I just called a hotline for changes/additions last time...

Thanks!

[wendy1221]

THe ped should let you come in before you get a new card for the baby. Ds3 was born at home and we saw ped at 5 days. We only went in that soon b/c we were having nursing problems and I wanted him to be up to speed (we have a great relationship w/ our ped and he is actually really helpful w/ bf difficulties.) I can't remember exactly, but I think he may have even written a note to Medicaid as verification that the baby was born and he'd given it an exam, but I could be wrong. I know for sure we just had to fill out a form at the county health dept to get the birth certificate, and we needed the bc to get the social security card, and I believe we needed both (not the actual ss card, but the # they gave us when we applied for one) to finalize the Medicaid app. The ped saw him several times before we got his actual card. They will backcharge Medicaid for any appointments you had before you get the card, no problem. It's standard procedure.

[Treeof3]

Do you have the pg medicaid? I got mine (finally) approved which is handy since in my state they will pay a mw. But being on this form of medicaid gets the baby enrolled automatically for one year. Now that you brought it up though I am wondering if there is anything I have to do... With my other 2 I had maternity coverage on my insurance and after the birth I just called and said "Had a kid, need to add." The ped allowed me to visit making sure that I called within 30 days or I would have to pay up. Heck for the 2nd one we didn't even get her SSN until she was 6 months old and they still enrolled her - but again that was an insuance company. I can see how the ped would make you pay first for a medicaid deal which is now something I am going to be figuring out. Maybe my mw knows since she takes medicaid...

[LoveChild421]

Originally Posted by wendy1221

THe ped should let you come in before you get a new card for the baby. Ds3 was born at home and we saw ped at 5 days. We only went in that soon b/c we were having nursing problems and I wanted him to be up to speed (we have a great relationship w/ our ped and he is actually really helpful w/ bf difficulties.) I can't remember exactly, but I think he may have even written a note to Medicaid as verification that the baby was born and he'd given it an exam, but I could be wrong. I know for sure we just had to fill out a form at the county health dept to get the birth certificate, and we needed the bc to get the social security card, and I believe we needed both (not the actual ss card, but the # they gave us when we applied for one) to finalize the Medicaid app. The ped saw him several times before we got his actual card. They will backcharge Medicaid for any appointments you had before you get the card, no problem. It's standard procedure.

I remember getting reimbursed for that first visit with ds1 now that I think about it....I was really lazy and didn't apply for his birth certificate or SS number until he was almost 8 months old but I got him on medicaid about 3 weeks after he was born...I remember calling and doing it over the phone...I just can't remember who I called...hmm...maybe things have changed...if only my memory wasn't clouded by the post-partum haze...

[wendy1221]

You probably called your caseworker.

[Mama Poot]

We weren't able to put ds2 on until we had a SS number for him. Rules may vary by state, though.

[wendy1221]

Originally Posted by Mama Poot

We weren't able to put ds2 on until we had a SS number for him. Rules may vary by state, though.

It was the same here. But they give you a printout w/ the SS# on it when you apply for the SS#, even though it may takes months to get the card. That printout was good enough for the office here.