When thinking about getting sick or injured, most people immediately consider the associated costs. In the case of medical bills, this is particularly magnified because people are often on their insurance for only part of the cost. In fact, many people end up having to pay for the entire cost of their hospital room and treatment out of pocket. While this may seem like a common occurrence, the fact is that it isn’t.
In the midst of the current pandemic, many people are finding that these associated costs can be considerably reduced. Not only do hospitals have special rates for medical and psychiatric emergencies that are tied to income, but there are also government programs to help cover the costs of medical treatments and surgeries. One such program is Medicaid. The Medicaid program was created to provide healthcare to those who otherwise couldn’t afford it. During this time of need, it is especially crucial to understand what benefits the program provides so that you can take full advantage of them.
What Is Medicaid?
Medicaid is a government healthcare program that provides coverage to low-income individuals and families. In some states, it is also provided to children and adults with disabilities. The program is run by individual states and funded by the Federal Government. As of September 2020, over 70 million people were enrolled in Medicaid across America. In 2019, Medicaid spending was around $8,200 per person. This is more than double the amount spent by the Veterans Administration, Medicare, and TRICARE combined (around $3,400 per person).
Medicaid is split into two parts: the hospital and medical insurance portions. Traditionally, the hospital and medical insurance portions of Medicaid were administered by two separate agencies: the states and the federal government. This has changed as of January 1, 2020, with the implementation of the Coronavirus Patient Relief Act, commonly referred to as the CARES act. Under this act, the federal government is now responsible for administering the hospital portion of Medicaid. The details of this change will be discussed below. For now, it is sufficient to know that the hospital and medical insurance portions of Medicaid are both collectively known as Medicaid.
Why Did Medicaid Get A Reprieve?
The first step towards understanding why Medicaid received a temporary reprieve is by identifying who was responsible for paying for most of its costs upfront. This was primarily businesses, particularly large corporations, through payroll taxes. Once the hospital and medical insurance portions of Medicaid were set up, the idea was that individuals would not have to worry about paying for their healthcare costs. This was because the government would pick up the tab through a combination of income and asset tests. In practice however, this has not been the case, particularly since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. It is well documented that the healthcare costs associated with COVID-19 are extremely high and they have caused many families to go bankrupt. Medicaid, like most other government healthcare programs, is funded through a combination of taxation and premiums.
How Is Medicaid Eligible For COVID-19-related Costs?
Under the current status of the CARES act, Medicaid is specifically entitled to receive 100% relief on COVID-19 treatment costs. This includes hospitalization, testing, and medication. Because the federal government is now responsible for administering the hospital portion of Medicaid, there is no question that hospitals will accept Medicaid patients. Acceptance of Medicaid patients will undoubtedly reduce the strain on existing healthcare resources as well as the amount of time it takes for doctors to get appointments with patients because of shorter wait times.
The question is, will the government cover the costs of viagra and similar medications prescribed to treat erectile dysfunction? To answer this question, let’s examine how Medicaid is funded and what effect the pandemic has had on that funding.
How Is Medicaid Funded?
Like most healthcare programs, Medicaid is funded by a combination of taxation and premiums. In the case of Medicaid, the taxation comes in the form of income and payroll taxes. As of 2020, Medicaid is funded through a combination of income and payroll taxes. The former is paid for by employers and employees via payroll deductions while the latter is paid for through an income tax. Medicaid is funded in this way because the government assumes that as an employee, you have sufficient income to cover the costs of health insurance. This is a common misconception. Most people with low income are either unemployed or underemployed and, as a result, do not have sufficient income to cover health insurance premiums. This is why most healthcare programs, including Medicaid, offer substantial assistance through government subsidies. This is known as Medicaid eligibility.
What Has Happened To The Budget For Medicaid?
During the height of the pandemic, it was commonplace for state and local governments to temporarily halt the collection of income and payroll taxes. In fact, many states imposed a complete moratorium on all forms of taxation, including property and sales taxes, to help deal with the financial burden of the pandemic. This is a common occurrence for governments across the country. It is also why many states have seen an uptick in the amount of welfare recipients they have since the pandemic. Temporary moratoriums on taxation have also given rise to a large number of for-profit healthcare providers popping up across the country. These organizations have seen an opportunity to make considerable profits during a time of need and many have enthusiastically jumped at the chance to provide healthcare to those who could not otherwise afford it. Medicaid has not been immune to the for-profit healthcare trend, particularly in the form of a massive expansion of telemedicine and online doctor visits that has sprung up as a result. It is a common occurrence for states to set up separate bank accounts for Medicaid so that they can track spending and ensure that money is not being wasted. In the case of California, the Medicaid budget increased by 50% as a direct result of the pandemic.
Will This Be Enough To Cover The Cost Of Viagra?
The cost of a single Viagra pill is around $14. It would be unusual for a man to require more than one pill per day. The average American male undergoes around six to seven erectile dysfunction-related consultations with a physician per year. As a result, the cost of a year’s worth of Viagra is around $84. This is assuming that you were to purchase a one-month supply. Will this be enough to cover the cost of a year’s supply of Viagra? It’s a fair question and one that needs to be answered because, at least in theory, coverage for Viagra will end once the pandemic is over. This is assuming, of course, that you do not develop a drug sensitivity to Viagra or similar medications. The cost of a year’s supply of Viagra is so high that only the most vulnerable, or those who can least afford it, will be able to cover the cost. It is also likely that insurance companies will not cover the cost of Viagra or similar medications due to cost restraints. If you are to develop a drug sensitivity to Viagra or similar medications, it would be best to avoid taking them. This will dramatically reduce your chances of becoming sensitized to potentially dangerous drugs. In the case of Medicaid, for now, there is sufficient evidence to suggest that the program is eligible to cover the cost of Viagra and similar medications. It will be up to the individual states to decide if they will cover the costs of erectile dysfunction treatments after the pandemic. It is also worth pointing out that if you do not qualify for Medicaid but you still have healthcare insurance, it may be covered under your insurance plan. Find out what your insurance coverage is like before the end of the year so that you can take full advantage of any available subsidies or cost-sharing reductions. You may also want to consult with your state’s healthcare department to find out if any healthcare programs are currently funded and if there are any waiting lists for healthcare coverage.