Thursday, March 19, 2015

Medicaid Coverage Limits For Service Animals

Medicaid coverage varies by state to include service animals.


Service animals provide assistance to a person with a disability, according to the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). These specially trained animals may qualify for some coverage under Medicaid, a U.S. government health insurance program.


Medicaid


Medicaid provides health care coverage for medical services to low-income people. Eligibility for the program varies by state and each state has different rules on what medical expenses they will cover. If you qualify for Medicaid in your state, they will cover any costs related to your disability, such as doctor or hospital care and may include the costs of a service animal.


Service Animals


Under the ADA, service animals can accompany you into a doctor's office or hospital, and may come under the classification of assistive technology for the Medicaid program. The state of Montana Medicaid program reimburses its recipients for the purchase, care and upkeep of a service animal, acknowledging them as necessary medical equipment.


Considerations


Coverage of service animal expenses under Medicaid varies between states. In the 2003 case of Burnham vs. Washington Department of Social and Health Services, the Washington state court affirmed that Medicaid did not have to cover expenses related to a service animal.

Tags: service animal, Medicaid program, Service Animals, they will, they will cover, under Medicaid