Your patient is worried about insurance coverage and asks you for advice on Medicaid. You instruct the patient that Medicaid:

Medicaid operates as a state and federal program designed to provide health coverage to eligible individuals, including low-income adults, children, pregnant women, elderly individuals, and those with disabilities. When explaining the functioning of Medicaid, it's important to clarify that it often acts as a "payer of last resort." This means that Medicaid will cover the medical expenses of an individual only after all other forms of insurance or third-party payers have contributed their portion toward the costs.

By clarifying this aspect, patients can understand that if they have other health insurance coverage, Medicaid will typically cover the remaining costs not paid by that insurance, reducing out-of-pocket expenses for medically necessary services. This is crucial for patients to know as it can impact their financial planning and their decision-making regarding healthcare services.

In contrast, other options present misunderstandings about Medicaid. For instance, it does not pay for all medical expenses upfront, nor does it limit coverage solely to emergency services. Lastly, it is not restricted to children; Medicaid is available to a broad demographic that meets specific income and eligibility criteria, which includes adults as well.