• Learn the medicaid laws in New York.Doctor image by Monika 3 Steps Ahead from Fotolia.com
  
  Medicaid is a government program that provides free medical care for people who have limited resources. The cost of Medicaid is shared by the federal and state governments, but each state manages the program. The eligibility requirement rules for Medicaid vary from state to state. It can often take a long time to be accepted into the program. Medicaid can cover routine physician services, long-term care (31 days or more) in hospitals and nursing homes, health-care associated with pregnancy, inpatient psychiatric hospital services, some home health services, some nursing and rehabilitative services, some treatment for infertility and prescription drugs. Each state is required to offer participants some choice in their medical care providers.
  
  

Income Resources

• Financial eligibility for Medicaid in New York is based on how much income a person has in a month's time, as well as the amount of other resources (monetary savings) they have. These levels are adjusted annually. These income and resource levels depend on the number of family members who live with you. A chart available at www.health.state.ny.us/health_care/medicaid/#definition shows the specific eligibility levels depending on income and number of family members.
  
  

Other Resources

• Participants are allowed to own a home, car and other personal property and still be eligible for the program. However, if you live with a relative who is legally responsible for you, that person's income and resources will be counted as well in determining whether you qualify for Medicaid.
  
  

Other Eligibility Requirements

• In New York, you may be eligible for Medicaid even if you make more money than the chart shows. Those with with medical bills, pregnant women, children and people who are blind, disabled or 65 or older might still qualify, even if they make more than the chart says is allowed. For some people in New York, this coverage is provided for by the Medicaid Surplus Income Program, which is available to those over 65 or who are blind or disabled, and whose incomes are too high to qualify for public assistance or SSI, but who spend their "surplus" income on medical bills. Once they have spent so much on medical bills that their income level meets the eligibility threshold, Medicaid covers all types of medical care including hospital care, doctor bills, nursing home coverage, home care and prescriptions. You should check with a Medicaid worker to find out eligibility levels in your situation.