Another medicaid question?

What is the difference between medicaid and a Managed Care Plan? If you aren't on medicaid are you eligible for MCP if your children are on medicaid?

Medicaid is the state run health program. Many states are going toward managed care plans with medicaid. It is a private medical plan that takes your medicaid dollars and basically takes over your health care. Some states use Blue Cross for instance. they have been in business for a long time and know how to handle claims and service for people. With a medicaid managed care plan, you have a primary care doctor and he makes sure you are healthy and if you need to see a specialist you need to see him to get a referral first. Blue Cross will grant permission to go to a specialist in their network and will pay the bill instead of medicaid. You have to use the in-network providers and go to an assigned hospital.

With regular medicaid you can go to any doctor that takes medicaid without having a network.

If you are getting a managed care plan (HMO) from work, your children can still use medicaid but it will be the secondary payor. If you can get hmo benefits from work you still have to pay your co-pay with doctor visits.

Medicare is the federal insurance program for seniors and the disabled. This is not an option for you unless you are one of the above.

hope that helps

medicaid is state run. Medicare is federally run. By 'run' I mean controlled, regulated, etc.
A managed care plan is offered thru your employer or by contacting (blue cross blue shield, united, aetna) on your own and getting insurance.
A managed care plan is going to cost you. If I were you, get insurance thru your employer, if not working or they don't offer it, get government assistance for yourself too.
If you live in metropolitan area, many hosiptals, colleges, offer reduced rate care.

Overall, yes, you still should be able to get managed care and keep medicaid for your child. BUT, check your individual state to be sure, since the states makes the rules.

No, ok... how to explain... FIRST! a Medicare managed care plan will not cost you any thing! if you qualify, it's free! if you are on the border of the income bracket you may have a spend down, the price is minimal... but it sounds like you are fully covered with no out of pocket cost. right?
ok you buy a car, it is a frame and an engine. that is Medicaid. now the enhancements like a radio, air, power windows, these are the things you get with a Managed care plan.
Medicaid is the base, the foundation. you can see only a hand full of doctors with this plan. BUT if you get on a managed care plan, you get the benefits of being covered under ANY doctor who takes GHP, UHC, BCBS... ok? so you have a larger selection of doctors. you can choose a fantastic doctor who will give your kids great service and be there for you.