DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
Medicaid & Medicare
Medicaid and Medicare
Community Medicaid is health insurance for low income New York State residents who do not have health insurance or cannot afford health insurance.  Community Medicaid provides coverage for many different types of medical care except for Nursing Home and Long Term Care Coverage.  Community Medicaid eligibility is based on income, resources and other eligibility requirements.

For more information regarding Medicaid, click on the link below:
http://www.health.state.ny.us/health_care/medicaid/

To obtain an application for Community Medicaid, click on the link below:
http://www.otda.ny.gov/programs/applications/#fs

Chronic Care Medicaid is coverage for individuals that do not have health insurance and are in a Nursing Home or a Long Term Care Program.  Chronic Care Medicaid eligibility is based on income, resource and other eligibility requirements.

For more information regarding Chronic Care/Long Term Care, click on the link below:
http://www.health.state.ny.us/facilities/long_term_care/

To obtain an application for Chronic Care Medicaid, click on the link below:
http://www.otda.state.ny.us/main/apps/default.asp#fs

Medicaid Buy-In Program for Working People with Disabilities- This program provides Medicaid coverage for disabled individuals that are working and earning more then the Medicaid limit.

For information regarding the Medicaid Buy-In Program for Working People with disabilities, click on the link below:
http://www.health.state.ny.us/health_care/medicaid/program/buy_in/index.htm

Medicaid Managed Care- Columbia County is a mandatory Managed Care County therefore; most people eligible for Medicaid must enroll in a Managed Care plan.  there are certain individuals that may meet the exemption or exclusion criteria and therefore will not be enrolled in a Managed Care plan.  Managed Care covers most benefits recipients will use and they use their Medicaid benefit card to get the services that the plan does not cover.

For more information regarding the Managed Care plans offered in Columbia County, please call the Managed Care Unit at (518) 828-9411.

Medicaid Transportation- People that are in receipt of Medicaid and do not have transportation to get to their medical appointments may be eligible for medical transportation.  Individuals that are active Medicaid and need to arrange for transportation to a medical appointment can call MAS, Medical Answering Services.  MAS arranges medical transportation for Medicaid recipients.

MAS - (855) 360-3546

Medicare Buy-In Program-  In addition to health care coverage, Medicaid also offers the Medicare Buy-In Program.  The Medicare Buy-In provides assistance with paying the Medicare premium for certain individuals.  Eligibility for the Medicare Buy-In programs is based on income, resources and other eligibility requirements.

To obtain an application for the Medicare Buy-In Program, please contact the Agency at (518) 828-9411.

To obtain a Medicare Buy-In Program application, click on the link below:
http://www.health.ny.gov/health_care/.../program/update/savingsprogram/msap