MEDICAID AND PEACHCARE FOR KIDS 

Medicaid was created to provide health coverage for those that are poor or in certain categories such as children, families with dependent children, pregnant, aged, blind and disabled. 

Medicaid is a federally funded program with funds from and directed by the State of Georgia that provide health coverage for a select population.  The federal government provides matching funds for the Medicaid program based upon the per capita income level of the persons in that state.  Even though it is directed by the State of Georgia, Medicaid must offer federally mandated basic services in order to receive the federal money. Georgia Medicaid is a very comprehensive plan and covers medical, hospitalization, prescriptions, vision and dental to most of its members.

The required income level to be covered by Medicaid is very low.  Your children might be eligible if your income is no more than 185% of the federal poverty level.  If you think you might qualify, please contact your county’s DFACS (Department of Family and Children Services) office for an application and enrollment. Information for your county can be found at http://dfcs.dhr.georgia.gov/portal/site/DHS-DFCS/

Peachcare is a plan that receives funds from the federal government to provide health coverage for children under the age of 19 who do not qualify for Medicaid. PeachCare recipients can have a household income of 235% of the federal poverty level according to family size. 

Applications for PeachCare can be taken over the internet at www.peachcare.org.  After the application is made, you will be instructed where to send supporting documentation. Call PeachCare at 1-877-GA-PEACH or 1-877-427-3224 for an application or get one from your county DFACS office.

To complete an application you will need to provide the following:

Names and social security numbers of all family members as well as current address.

Amount and schedule of all incoming income, usually two past pay check stubs or information stating your job loss.

Health insurance status of all members.

Unlike Medicaid, Peachcare has a small premium for its members.  Children under the age of 6 are excluded from a premium, and children 6 to 19 have a small premium of no more than twenty dollars per month per child.

Do not miss deadlines for submission of documentation concerning your application.  You do not want to be excluded or endure a waiting period because you missed a deadline. 

After your application is made, check periodically by phone on the status of the application. You may contact Peachcare at 1-877- 427-3224 

 

Disclaimer

The information provided on this website is provided by my own research and is not associated with the State of Georgia, the Department of Community Health, Insurance Commissioner's Office or Georgia State University.