How Can I Get an Temporary Medicaid Card?
A temporary Medicaid card can be issued if you show proof of eligibility for the program and a medical problem that requires immediate treatment. If you are already approved for Medicaid, you may be able to request a temporary card from your county Human Services department, print one from an online account or simply use your patient number. The process varies by state and by county.
If you are not yet approved for Medicaid, visit the Department of Human Services (also sometimes called Human Assistance) or the Social Security office in your county of residence. If you have a medical issue that requires immediate attention, you may be able to have a temporary card issued to you on the spot. You need documentation of your condition, such as medical records showing prior treatment or the written and signed diagnosis of a doctor. Some counties have special programs for Medicaid recipients that are pregnant.
You also need to have documentation that shows you are eligible for Medicaid. A temporary card is only to be used as a method of speeding up access to treatment for those who are eligible for the program. Medicaid cannot be used for emergency medical treatment for those who are ineligible. Actual documentation requirements may vary by state and county.
If you are already approved for Medicaid and are waiting for your card to arrive in the mail, use the patient number included with your approval notification as a temporary solution. States may also have online accounts where you can log-in and print a temporary card, such as Florida’s MyACCESS.