Medicaid and financial Aid

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I don't know how it works where you are but when I had my ds (10 years ago mind you in Maine) I did have to bring in my aid letter. I'd have it ready just in case. I also had to Dr verification of my pregnancy (the OB was willing to wait to charge). They did cover that initial visit once I was approved.

I'm in NY right now and from the website I found that students generally do not qualify for basic medicaid. The rules are different for pregnant women, however. If you're not covered elsewhere and make less than 200% or 300% of the federal poverty guidelines, then you're covered almost automatically. When trying to qualify for any assistance, I believe student loans would be counted as income for the person to whom they were granted (only any amount you received beyond tuition), but would not be income for anyone else on their application (spouse, children, etc.)

My husband is a full-time student in his last year of medical school. We are applying for medicaid right now to cover us until July when he starts residency. We were told he is automatically unable to receive assistance because they do not cover students under normal circumstances in NY. The children and I, however, do qualify and none of his student loan income is counted as income on our application for assistance.

Like I said, though, pregnant women without insurance will usually qualify under some sub-program in that state. I'm sure you'll be fine.

I would keep calling and emailing. Also, most states have a hotline to file a complaint if feel you're application is not being handled properly. I have used the hotline in the past and been able to get answers within a few hours.

Good luck.

Just recently went through this. First, they do, in fact, only have so long to process your application, at least here in OR. Call and find out and if its been beyond that, ask to speak to a supervisor.

Second, here, my aid was backdated to the date we applied.

Finally, my husband is our primary source of income as a grad student with a small stipend and student loans. We put them down as a source of income on the application, but when the caseworker looked at them, she said since they are federal loans, they don't count towards income. BUT, when I was waiting on my app to be processed, I also asked around and got different answers. Some people made me think that its different in grad school/undergrad. Some people said it was different state to state...I honestly don't know besides what happened for us.

So...all I can do is offer you that and wish you luck!!!!

Thanks everyone! I finally got through to her and I think she actually forgot about my case or something. Anyways she sure was nice and changed her attitude once she realized that her 15 days were up on Friday (here in Texas they only have 15 business days to process). She actually didn't ask me anything so far about my financial aid. I faxed her the other papers she needed and she said that she would make a decision by the end of the day and let me know. So I'm sooo happy! The doctors here in my town won't see you until they know the status of your application, so they won't see you and just wait to charge it to medicaid, they want you to be approved and get the temporary card or they won't see you at all unless you prepay for your services. My DP and I work at the same company thats an awesome company but unfortunately they don't offer health insurance so that's why I'm really hoping that this comes through. Thanks everyone!!

chiming in late here, but I wanted to add... it does vary from state to state, as to what they count as income and assets. In Indiana, they have what is called PE (presumptive eligibility) for a period of time while you are waiting for the Medicaid to be approved, so mothers can get in for any early prenatal care they may need. Indiana has had a lot of glitches with the failed "modernization" switchover...which incidently started the day that TEXAS terminated their IBM contract... what a huge frickin mess. Anyways... we are now entering a "hybrid system" phase. I was approved in NOVEMBER but was never notified. I finally phoned in mid January (I figured with the holidays and the end of the year and beginning of the year stuff I would give them some slack), only to find that yeah, I had been approved for pregnancy medicaid for a few months at that point. So... your milage may vary...considerably.

ALSO. I am a student and I receive pell grants and it has never impacted our aid in Indiana....FWIW. But in some states it does.