Georgia Medicaid for Seniors

What is Medicaid?

Medicaid is a jointly funded, Federal-State health insurance program for low-income seniors and others in need, including children and those with disabilities who receive federally assisted income maintenance payments.

Does Medicaid Pay for Long-term Care?

Medicaid pays for long-term care in a nursing home. In addition, the SOURCE Program covers in home care.

Overview of SOURCE

Service Options Using Resources in a Community Environment (SOURCE) is a case management program that serves frail elderly and disabled beneficiaries by linking primary medical care with home and community-based services. 

SOURCE integrates primary medical care with supportive services through case managers who work with the member and their primary care physicians (PCP). Beneficiaries who meet eligibility criteria enroll with a SOURCE site as their primary care provider who coordinates all medical and social services.

The program was established to:

• Integrate primary care, specialty care and home based care;
• Reduce emergency room use, hospital and nursing home admissions caused by preventable medical complications;
• Stabilize social and lifestyle factors that affect compliance, health status and quality of life;
• Reduce the need for long-term institutional placement.

Upon enrollment, the case manager completes an assessment during a home visit. The case manager works closely with the member’s PCP and his/her medical director to coordinate care. Based on assessment information, participants are assigned one of the three levels of care that meet the state’s nursing home level of care criteria.   Levels one and two include people with substantial cognitive and/or physical impairments and individuals who are deemed Level three have at least one chronic condition and a need for medical monitoring, but less functional impairment. 

Will liquidating assets help me qualify for Medicaid?