Is it difficult to move from one state to another on MedicAid?
Thursday, July 29th, 2010 at
1:12 am
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Filed under: Retirement Planning
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I used to be a social worker, and this was a regular problem for clients I received who moved from other states. You have to apply for Medicaid in Oregon after you move there (keeping in mind that Oregon’s Medicaid coverage may be different from California’s–it’s not standardized). Also, Oregon may have different qualification requirements than California and may be running on a waiting list, in which case you could have to wait a while for medications.
What you COULD do is look for a social service agency that can help you get hooked up with a Patient Assistance program to get the meds you need while you wait to be approved for Oregon Medicaid (be prepared to show proof of income). Also, a social service agency may be able to help you find a pharmacy that donates meds. When I was a social worker, I worked exclusively with people with HIV/AIDS, and we had a nearby pharmacy that donated HIV meds regularly, which was amazing.
Another option isn’t legal and could be risky if you’re found out. That is to essentially lie and tell California that you still live there while you’re in the process of getting approved for Oregon’s Medicaid. (I don’t particularly recommend this, as you could be prosecuted for Medicaid fraud if found out, but I also know that sometimes desperate times call for desperate measures.)
Bottom line–do your research on Oregon Medicaid before you move, and try to find a non-profit in your destination city that can help you by being your advocate. Good luck!