Philadelphia Government Health Care

Medicaid provides medical assistance to low-income people. In addition to paying for some basic medical expenses, it helps pay for prescription drugs, dental work, vision care, mental health treatment, nursing home costs, long-term care, and rehabilitation services.

The federal government funds Medicaid through both state and federal programs. States are required by law to provide coverage for certain groups of needy people, including children, pregnant women and parents, the elderly, blind, disabled, and families with very young kids. Some states provide additional coverage for poor working families.

States must meet specific requirements set out in the Social Security Act, including having a plan approved by the Health Insurance Exchange Authority (HIXA). The MA program is used by most states to fund their plans. Federal law requires each state to have a system for managed care organizations (MCOs), which will administer the MA program. These MCOs work with providers to provide the services that are needed.