Student Teaching & Insurance with Children

I'm 90% finished with my master's degree in education and had planned to start my final student teaching internship at the end of August (which I have to fulfill to graduate in Dec.). This will be a 14-week, unpaid assignment where I most likely will not have any time to work at another job. I'm also a single mom to two kids. I had been planning to quit my current job once I start student teaching, but that means losing health insurance. However, I thought that perhaps I could apply for Medicaid to cover us during that period when I literally will have no income and will just have to rely on what I have saved up for bills. For the record, I currently work in a childcare center and once I finish my degree, I'll be able to switch to teaching in an elementary school and making at least double what I currently earn.

But, this week one of my kids broke their shoulder!! Now she'll have to wear a sling and have x-rays and check-ups every week for *at least* the next four weeks. If the bone doesn't heal properly on its own, she'll need surgery. The doctors may say that she needs physical therapy later too.

Obviously I need to prioritize my child's health over my internship and I probably will have to delay it for a semester just to keep my current job's insurance *unless she either heals super well in the next six weeks OR…

Let's imagine that I do leave my current job at the end of August and immediately apply for Medicaid. Would Medicaid be willing to pay for any continuing treatment like physical therapy or would they decline it because it's like a "pre-existing condition?" Any recommendations? I'm planning to try to speak with any insurance specialists soon if possible.

submitted by /u/Extension-Listen-872
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