Medicaid is health insurance that helps many people who can't afford medical
care pay for some or all of their medical bills. Medicaid is paid for by
Federal and State funds. There is an organization in each state government
that is responsible for administering Medicaid in that state. Each state
sets its own guidelines regarding who can receive services (eligibility)
and what services are covered under Medicaid.
Federal law states that Medicaid eligibility is limited
to people who fall into specified categories, which cover five broad groups
of people: pregnant women, children and teenagers, seniors, people with disabilities
and people who are blind. Within these groups, certain eligibility requirements
must be met, for example, your income and resources (like bank accounts, property,
or other items that can be sold for cash) and whether you are a U.S. citizen
or a lawfully admitted immigrant. The rules for counting income and resources
vary from state to state and from group to group. There are special rules
for those who live in nursing homes and for disabled children living at home.
Please choose a state to obtain contact information for a Medicaid Agency
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Mental Health Services
The federal government provides many resources for the prevention and treatment
of mental health problems, including providing money to states so they can
provide a range of community-based mental health treatment and support services
to adults and children. Decisions about the treatment and care of people with
emotional problems and mental illness are made at the local and state levels
so the types of services that are available, and how those services are funded,
vary from state to state.
The Mental Health Agency in each state can provide information about what
services are available locally, including information about admission, care,
treatment, release and patient follow-up in public or private psychiatric
residential facilities. The Mental Health Agency may also have contact details
for the local chapters of self-help organizations that have information about
any other services that are available locally.
Please choose a state to obtain contact information for a Mental Health Services Agency
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OR
State Unit on Aging
The Older Americans Act (OAA) is the primary vehicle for organizing and providing
Home and Community-Based Services for older people and their families. All
individuals 60 years of age and older are eligible for services under the
OAA, although priority attention is given to those who are in greatest need.
The U.S. Administration on Aging administers the OAA. For a state to receive
federal funds to implement to OAA, the Governor has to appoint a State Unit
on Aging. State Units on Aging develop a statewide aging plan of how services
and supports will be provided. Many states have divided the state into Area
Agencies on Aging (AAAs) to administer OAA programs (13 states and Territories
have single planning areas). In most cases, the AAA assesses the needs of
older people although they do not provide direct services (they subcontract
with other organizations).
There are 6 main types of services that may be available in states; (1) services
to help people stay in their homes (e.g. chore and personal care services),
(2) nutrition services, (3) preventive health services, (4) The National Family
Caregiver Support Program (funded for the first time in 2000) to help people
caring for spouses, parents, older relatives and friends as well as grandparents
caring for grandchildren and caregivers of people 18 and under with mental
retardation or developmental difficulties (5) protection for the rights of
vulnerable older people (e.g. pension counseling programs) and (6) services
to Native Americans.
To find local services and contact local Area Agencies on Aging, either contact
the State Unit on Aging or call the ‘Eldercare Locator’ (a national
toll-free service to help callers find services that may help them). The Eldercare
Locator number is 1-800-677-1116.
Please choose a state to obtain contact information for a State Unit on Aging
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OR
Protection and Advocacy Agency
The Federal Government funds Protection and Advocacy (P&A) agencies in
each state. These agencies are mandated by Congress to provide legal representation
and other advocacy services, under all federal and state laws, to all people
with disabilities. All P&As maintain a presence in facilities that care
for people with disabilities, where they monitor, investigate and attempt
to remedy adverse conditions. They help ensure people with disabilities have
full access to educational programs, financial entitlements, health and long-term
care, housing and employment opportunities.
Each P&A has a program to safeguard the rights of specific groups of
people. For example: Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness
(PAIMI); Protection and Advocacy for Individual Rights (PAIR); and Client
Assistance Programs (CAP).
Please choose a state to obtain contact information for a Protection and Advocacy Agency
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Home Health Agencies
Medicaid Home Health services can be provided to Medicaid participants
other than those eligible for institutional care. All states offer
Medicaid Home Health and they can vary the amount, scope and duration of
benefits offered (so long as they remain sufficient to reasonably
achieve their purpose and are the same for all eligibility groups).
Examples of services provided are skilled nursing care to help with
Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and therapies.
Please choose a state to obtain contact information for a Home Health Agency
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OR
State Personal Care Programs
States have the option of offering personal care services (PCS) as a
Medicaid benefit. States have considerable discretion in defining PCS
but programs typically involve non-medical assistance with activities of
daily living (e.g., bathing and eating) for participants with
disabilities and chronic conditions.
Unlike waivers, the PCS benefit must be available to all categorically
eligible groups but states can opt to include the medically needy (those
who spend down to the state standard because of medical expenses).
Please choose a state to obtain contact information for a Home Health Agency
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OR
State Independent Living Council and Centers for Independent Living
Some Independent Living Centers (ILC) provide a list of local personal assistants or even
administer programs to match people with personal assistants. The State Independent Living Council
(SILC) is the state agency that has contact with these
agencies as well as other state agencies.
Ombudsman for Residents of Nursing Homes and Assisted Living
An Ombudsman is an advocate for residents of nursing homes, board and care homes, and assisted living. They are authorized by federal and state law to provide information about:
How to find a facility and what to do to get quality care
To answer questions related to long term care
identify, investigate and resolve complaints on behalf of residents
The following link provides contact information for state Ombudsmen and Regional Offices.
Please choose a state to obtain contact information for Ombudsman