Medicaid Eligibility – Ohio – IRP Poverty Dispatch

Medicaid access made easier, By Catherine Candisky, June 6, 2012, Columbus Dispatch: “Ohio will be the 18th state to make it easier for poor children and pregnant women to get on-the-spot access to tax-funded health care. Under a pilot program starting next week, a handful of community health clinics and hospitals, including Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, will be authorized to do a quick screening and immediately grant eligibility for 60 days in the state Medicaid program. State officials say they plan to expand so-called ‘presumptive eligibility’ to clinics and hospitals statewide in about six months…”
Ohio eases access for Medicaid-eligible patients, By Ann Sanner (AP), June 6, 2012, Coshocton Tribune: “State officials are hoping to more easily grant uninsured pregnant women and children in Ohio access to health care services under Medicaid, if they are likely to qualify for the program that provides coverage to the poor and disabled. A pilot program slated to start next week would allow certain health care providers in Ohio to presume the patient is eligible for Medicaid after an initial screening test. Children and expectant mothers would have to prove residency and provide other biographical details. The patients then could access the Medicaid-funded services immediately for 60 days while they apply for the program…”