Medicare vs MedicaidMedicare vs Medicaid

Everyone needs medical care sometimes, but what are the options here in the US? Health insurance is certainly a confusing topic. The terms ‘Medicaid’ and ‘ Medicare’ are mentioned frequently, but what is the difference? Who can qualify? How do you apply? It may surprise you to learn that some people actually qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid.

Let’s take a closer look at these two programs. We’ve marked their differences are in bold.

Who qualifies?

Medicare

Medicare is a federal program of health insurance for those over 65 years of age, people with certain disabilities, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease) and those with End-Stage Renal Disease. Any person over 65 automatically qualifies for Medicare (even non-citizens who qualify for Social Security or Railroad Retirement) without regard to their incomehowever there is a cost, often deducted from Social Security or Railroad Retirement payments.

Medicaid

Medicaid (known as MediCal in California) is a federal-state program usually administered by the local welfare office and helps with health care for low-income people of all ages. Eligibility for Medicaid is dependent on income and savings and varies from state to state according to cost of living and level of poverty, among other factors. If you have more than a certain amount in savings, then you are probably disqualified until you spend that money, preferably on health care.

Most disabled people qualify, as well as children in foster care and pregnant women. Medicaid may also help cover those who could not afford health insurance on their own.

The Affordable Care Act of 2010 enacted a national Medicaid minimum eligibility level of 133% of the federal poverty level ($15,930 in the case of a two person household in 2015). Your place of residence, as well as your current immigration status and your U.S. citizenship documentation, are also considered in determining Medicaid eligibility.

What are the costs?

Medicare

The cost of Medicare is made up of health insurance premiums and deductibles paid directly to healthcare providers by the patient before Medicare pays the balance. Because it is a federal program, the rules are the same in all states.

There is often a co-pay, a set fee that the patient must pay for an office visit or prescription and then Medicare pays the balance. The cost of Medicare is paid by those who have paid into the fund, usually through payroll deductions at their work before they retired.

Medicaid

In theory, anyone with less in savings can qualify for Medicaid if they are ‘medically needy,’ but they will have a ‘spend-down.’ This is essentially a deductible, like with car insurance – you first must spend a certain amount each month, then Medicaid will pick up the bill on the rest. The amount is determined by the Medicaid office.

Sometimes there is a co-pay, a set fee that the patient must pay for an office visit or prescription and then Medicaid pays the balance.

What is covered?

Medicare

There are four parts to Medicare:

Part A functions like hospital insurance, helping pay bills for hospital visits, skilled nursing facilities, and hospice care. Part B functions like medical insurance, helping pay for outpatient care, medical equipment, and home health care. Parts A & B together form “Original Medicare,” the alternative to which is…

Part C, also known as a “Medicare Advantage Plan,” which also offers the same coverage as Parts A and B. The main difference between Original Medicare and a Medicare Advantage Plan is who provides the coverage. In the first instance, coverage is provided by Medicare, whereas Part C is provided by private insurance companies.

Part D provides additional coverage to help cover prescriptions. You will find that a few of the offerings are optional and the person on Medicare may need to pay extra premiums for them.

It is possible to be eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid. If you have Medicare and full Medicaid coverage, most of your health care costs are probably covered. Medicare is handled through the Social Security office.

Medicaid

Medicaid covers much more in the realm of health services that Medicare does not cover, like nursing home care and personal care services. The costs of Medicaid are paid by federal, state and local tax money. The only way to find out if you qualify for Medicaid is to contact your state Medicaid office.

Although Medicare and Medicaid are very different in what they offer and the services that they provide, they are both administered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. You can learn more about each program at Medicare.gov and Medicaid.gov, respectively.

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8 Comments

  1. wook hyun kim April 30, 2015 Reply

    Could you announce who is qualify for Medicaid benefits?
    Thanks.

    W. Kim

  2. Lynn Ulrich May 1, 2015 Reply

    my mom only gets $762/month SSI. Her medicare premium is paid and she has medicaid. therefore her SSI deposit is $743/Month. She pays Cplus BCBS $152 out of that leaving a whopping $591/month to live!! This is crazeee to expect someone to live on such little??? she has received food stamp assistance but its only $132/month. she cannot work due to medical conditions and she is only 70yrs old. What can we do to get more financial assistance with here utilites and rent?

  3. Mabelle Milne January 9, 2016 Reply

    I would like to know if assisted living benefits are allowed to a 78 year old woman with several medical co/morbidities and still able to handle herself with limitations because of a yaer old stroke. I was lefy with limitatios of my right side of the body and balance problems. I need to be near medical resources.
    Thank you for your considertion.
    MABELLE MILNE

  4. Yolanda September 17, 2016 Reply

    Although your articles are helpful to someone who has a house to sell in Oder to help with Assissting livening cost.
    How can someone who does not have that option and has a
    SSI of $800:00 paid for assists ate living cost. ?

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