GETTING
MEDICAL SERVICES
How
do I know I have Medicaid?
Once
you are found eligible for Medicaid you will be mailed a notice which will
tell you that you have been found eligible. You should also get a Medicaid
card in the mail.
Note:
Your paper Medicaid card will soon be changed to a plastic magnetic card
called the "Forward" card, which will be valid for as long as you remain
eligible. You will not get a paper Medicaid card each month. You will also
get one "Forward" card for each member of your family. Pay attention to
the notices you receive to make sure you are eligible. If you receive a
notice telling you that your Medicaid will be terminated, immediately contact
your caseworker.
If
you request a fair hearing before the termination date, your Medicaid must
continue until the fair hearing. See
FAIR
HEARINGS.
If
any information on the Medicaid card is wrong you must contact your caseworker
and get it corrected. If you have trouble doing this and it is stopping
you from getting health care, request a fair hearing.
What
do I do if I don't get my Medicaid card?
If
you don't get your Medicaid card after you have been found to be eligible,
call the Medicaid Recipient Hotline at 800-362-3002. The hotline can tell
you if you or any family member is eligible for that month. If eligible,
you can ask them to send you a replacement card. If they tell you that
you are not eligible, contact your caseworker or request a fair hearing.
How
do I use my Medicaid card?
Before
you get medical services, make sure that the provider (doctor or hospital)
accepts Medicaid. If the provider does not accept Medicaid, call around
for a provider who does.
Note:
if you decide to get services from a provider who does not accept Medicaid,
after being told that the service will not be covered by Medicaid, you
may be held responsible for the bill. If a health care provider takes you
to court to collect an unpaid medical bill, contact Legal Action of Wisconsin
at 414-278-7722.
If
you do not have a Medicaid card at the time you receive services, but get
a card later, ask your caseworker to backdate the card. Your Medicaid
card can be backdated up to three months before your application date if
you were otherwise eligible. There is no backdating for BadgerCare
except to the first day of the month of application.
Note:
If your Medicaid card is backdated, make sure you inform your doctor or
hospital to bill the state Medicaid program. They have six months
from the date of the backdate to submit the bills to the state. If
you do not inform your medical provider of your eligibility for Medicaid,
you can be held responsible for the bill. See
MEDICAID
PAYMENT PROBLEMS
