Question:
Michigan Medical/Medicaid....What is the difference?

Today I was approved for State Medical in Michigan...I was so happy to be told that I forgot to ask what the difference is and if I can still pursue and qualify for WLS while just receiving the State Medical Insurance. I know there is supposed to be a difference because my worker made the comment that I had to have my previous doctors submit records before I would be qualified for Medicaid Disability. Can anyone help shed light on this for me? Thanks!! =)    — ImANewDee (posted on August 1, 2002)

August 1, 2002
As a former medicaid worker I hope to be able to shed some light on your question. State medical is for a childless person with low or no income and covers basic medical needs. Usually you get state medical during a period of time when the caseworker is attempting to gather more medical information to pursue Medicaid which covers more and for which you have to be disabled for a year or more. I can almost guarantee you that you will not to eligible for WLS on State Medical but you may be if you are approved for Medicaid. In short State medical is basic coverage (and some times it's hard to get doctors to accept) and won't cover WLS. Medicaid might, but more medical information must be gathered and you must be approved for a disability.(if found disabled you will also get either RSDI or SSI based on work history) It's been 5 years since I have worked in the State so policies might have changed. Contact your worker and ask him or her specifically if WLS is covered under State Medical. There used to be some coverage under County Hospitalization but that was for emergencies only and if you had an emergency hospitalization you also had to apply for Hill-Burton Funds. Just wowing you will my vast knowledge on that last bit of information. WLS would probably never be called an emergency.
   — Mary G.