Here's What You Need When Applying For a Medical Card

As with many Americans during the money crisis of 2008 - 2009, not having enough cash to pay for medical expenses may have become common for you. There is a way around this. Depending on your financial situation you may be able to qualify for a government issued Medical Card. These cards often cover basic medical needs such as doctors visits, prescribed medication, some medical treatments, and very often the use of public transit to get to and from the appointment. But if you need to apply for one, how do you know what you will need? While the specific requirements vary by state or agency sometimes, there are general guidelines which apply to all applicants. Knowing what is needed when applying for a medical card will increase both the speed of the application and the chance for approval.

The first thing you will want to do is obtain the needed forms before the intake interview. This is done by simply going to the local office of Social Service and Welfare and asking for all the requirements to apply for the medical assistance card. You will get a multi-page form to fill out. Take this with you and look it over to make sure you have all of the required information.

Personal Information

Several types of personal information is required to apply for a medical card. This information is provided by documentation via paper "hard copy" of certain items. These include your Social Security number via your Social Security card; your date of birth via your birth certificate; and proof of residence via current rent or mortgage payment or utility bill.

Financial Information

There will be financial information needed to verify your need for a medical card. This is not to claim you are falsifying information or trying to get something for nothing; this is normal to meet minimum guidelines set up by the state. Again this information will be required using paper copies; in this case the items needed will include pay slips or government benefit payments, bank statements going back usually three months and your medical bills. They will need to know gross income (before taxes) for approximately three or four months to get an estimated number for a yearly total.

Household Information

The next batch of information needed when applying for a medical card is the information about your household makeup. This includes details about each person living in your house. Needed will be information such as ages, sex, income amounts and how the person gets their income, and relationship to you. Also included will be information on family members who are under 18 and any family directly related to you who is not currently living with you such as college students or military personnel.

Medical Information

One of the main components when applying for a medical card will be the medical information. You will need to supply information as to why you are applying for the medical card. This information will need to include current medical conditions and any ongoing medical treatment. This includes prescribed medication or physical therapy. Expenses for child care or adult care while you are attending school or work or treatment is also included here.

One final note here. When applying for a medical card, information will also be taken to see if there are other programs which could be as effectively used, or be more effective for you. This is to avoid duplication of services. Another consideration you will find is that the agency processing the medical card application will ask you if outside agencies or organizations have been approached for assistance either before or at the same time as the agency. Again, the premise here is to avoid overuse of the system; although it may appear different to applicants.