Medicaid is a health-insurance program funded jointly by the U.S. federal government and individual states. Medicaid differs from Medicare in that it is designed for low-income individuals and families, while Medicare is for those receiving Social Security benefits and those over the eligible age for Medicare.
Medicaid covers certain prescriptions, health services and medical services for those who are eligible for low-income government assistance.
Retrace Your Steps
Go back to the last place you showed your Medicaid card. This might be a hospital, pharmacy or doctor's office. This should be done as soon as you notice the card is missing. Ask workers at the location if there is a lost and found or if the card has been handed in.
Contact State Health Department
Contact your state health department. It is the issuer of Medicaid cards. You can visit the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) website http://www.cms.hhs.gov to access toll free numbers and a list of each state's offices for Medicare and Medicaid.
Visit the website listed in the Resources section of this article for a list of all state health department locations and offices. You can use this link to search for offices by state and by region. It is important to contact the office as soon as you have noticed the card is missing so that they can prepare a new card for you.
You should have information on hand to verify your identity including your name, current address, date of birth and social security number.
Additional Information
Provide information that is requested while speaking on the phone with your local State Health Department office. The office will issue you a new Medicaid card that will arrive in the mail within three weeks.
However, you can get a temporary card which has your name and Medicaid number on it by visiting your local Health Department office. Coverage remains in effect even if the card is lost and remains in effect during the replacement process.
A temporary card is useful if you need to show proof of Medicaid eligibility every time you visit a medical center or are going to a medical professional for the first time. The temporary card is issued the same day it is requested. Be sure to bring proof of I.D. such as a Social Security card, birth certificate or state issued I.D.
Tags: Health Department, Medicare Medicaid, temporary card, card missing, Department office