Medical Social Work Research Paper

Background
Medical social work is a sub-category of social work, also known as hospital social work. Medical social workers typically work in a hospital, outpatient clinic, community health agency, skilled nursing facility, long-term care facility or hospice (Monterio, Arnold, Locke, Steinhorn, & Shanske). They work with patients and their families in need of help. Medical social workers assess the psychosocial functioning of patients and families and mediate as need be. Interventions may include connecting patients and families to necessary resources and supports in the community. It also may include providing psychotherapy, supportive counseling, or grief counseling. It is all about helping a patient to expand and strengthen their network

Medicaid and Medicare. Medicaid is the single largest health insurer for children. It is also the primary source of health care for low-income parents and other non-elderly adults, the elderly and people with disabilities. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) gives states the option to expand Medicaid eligibility for non-elderly adults earning up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level. Prior to the ACA, states generally provided Medicaid coverage to children with family income levels around or above this level (Rowland & Lyons). One out of every five elderly Americans faces each day on a limited income with little flexibility for extra or unexpected medical expenses (Rowland & Lyons.). When medical care is needed, these 6 million poor and near-poor elderly Americans depend on Medicare for assistance with their medical bills. The universal coverage of Medicare assures them entry to America's health care system and offers protection from financial catastrophe when illness strikes. However, gaps in the opportunity of Medicare's benefits and financial obligations for coverage can result in onerous financial burdens. Low-income elderly people are particularly susceptible because they are more likely to be experiencing health problems that require medical services than those who are economically better off, but are less able to afford needed care because of their lower incomes. Even routine care, such as physician

MAGI is used to determine financial eligibility for Medicaid available through the health insurance marketplace. By using one set of income counting rules and a single application across programs, the Affordable Care Act made it easier for people to apply and enroll in the right program("Eligibility"). MAGI is the basis for determining Medicaid income eligibility for most children, pregnant women, parents and adults. The MAGI-based methodology considers taxable income and tax filing relationships to determine financial eligibility for Medicaid. The MAGI-based methodology does not allow for income disregards that vary by state or by eligibility group. Some individuals are exempt from the MAGI-based income counting rules, including those whose eligibility is based on blindness, disability or age("Eligibility"). Medicaid eligibility for individuals 65 and older or who have blindness or a disability is generally determined using the income methodologies of the supplemental security income (SSI) program administered by the Social Security Administration. Eligibility for the Medicare Savings Programs, through which Medicaid pays Medicare premiums, deductibles and/or coinsurance costs for beneficiaries eligible for both programs("Eligibility"). Certain Medicaid eligibility groups do not require a determination of income by