Question Regarding State Medicaid

[sm3890]

I am a US Citizen in search of Medicaid.

I was a legal resident of NC for 3 years- I attended high school there. In NC, I was under supervision of a legal guardian. Then I turned 18, and I moved to college in Georgia. I am classified as an out of state student, since my legal residence is still in NC.

Now I am 19, will turn 20 in March '10, and since I am a student, my income is negligible (<$5000). Can I apply for medicaid? My parents are not US Citizens, and they do not live/have a legal residence here in the US.

My legal guardian has no problem accommodating me during holidays, but I must pay for extra stuff. Plus, since I am past 18, am I not technically an independent? I am classified as an independent according to the FAFSA, so I was wondering whether it can have the same application in regards to Medicaid.

Finally, if I am subject to Medicaid, is NC the state I have to apply to for it? I believe it should be NC, but I just want to make sure.

[ecmst12]

Nothing stops you from applying. No idea if you will get it, but you might. Doesn't your school have Student Health for while you are on campus?

You should talk to the medicaid offices in both states to find out where you should apply. Generally, medicaid only provides for treatment in that state, so you couldn't get treatment in GA under NC medicaid. But you really need to talk to the offices to know for sure.

[sm3890]

Thanks for the quick reply, I really appreciate it.

I go to Georgia Tech- they have a health service, but insurance is separate. The mandatory health service fee that we pay is small and covers physicals, doctor visits, etc. However, it does not cover emergencies, operations (all the big, rare stuff). Therefore, through Pearce and Pearce, Tech offers an insurance plan, which is pretty pricey and unaffordable to me.

But thanks, I think I will contact the medicaid offices of both states and try and figure what to do.

Do let me know if you have anything to say.