Medicaid is a health insurance program designed to cover families and individuals who live on a low monthly income. Managed by the states and funded by the federal government, Medicaid insurance gives additional support for parents with low income, children, seniors, and people with disabilities.

Established on July 30, 1965 through the the Social Security Act, Medicaid covers dental services, tuberculosis, sickle cell disease, and likewise includes special services for breast cancer. Medicaid also has a program that covers mental health services. In fact, Medicaid is the sole largest spender for mental health services in the United States – providing services and support for 58 million adults and children.

Each state has their own design in running the Medicaid program; some even have a different name for Medicaid. In California, Medicaid is known as Medi-Cal, while it is called Masshealth in Massachusetts and TennCare in Tennessee. Each state also has its own standards and criteria for Medicaid eligibility.

As technology advances, so does Medicaid. One of Medicaid’s latest features is telemedicine/telehealth. This special service makes use of electronic communication that allows real time conversation between the patient and the physician. This is seen as a cost-effective alternative to the actual face-to-face checkups. Through electronic communication, the patient receives health assessment, diagnosis, intervention, consultation, supervision and information regardless of distance.