What is the difference between Medicare and Medicaid?
It is best to think of Medicare as an insurance program providing payment for medical needs of persons 65 and over, or persons with certain disabilities. All persons 65 and over are eligible for Medicare, and there is no qualification based on financial resources or income levels. Medicare is NOT a means-tested government benefit, and it is only a federal program. On the other hand, Medicaid IS a means-tested government benefit and the beneficiary must qualify for Medicaid within the guidelines of their state. So not everybody can get Medicaid, and most Americans can NOT qualify for Medicaid. A qualified elder law attorney, such as The Bell Law Firm, can help an individual intelligently, and legally, protect their assets, and better prepare the client to qualify for Medicaid in the future. Once a beneficiary qualifies for Medicaid, then it will pay for many of the medical needs of the beneficiary and their long-term care needs in the nursing home. One area that Medicare provides very l
The short answer is that Medicaid is a poverty program and Medicare isn’t. Many disabled people who get Medicaid get it because they are on Supplemental Security Income (SSI). This is called “categorical” Medicaid eligibility. To get SSI and thereby get Medicaid you have to be poor and disabled. Medicaid pays doctors at very low rates. People who have only Medicaid can have a hard time finding doctors willing to take them on as patients. Medicaid does pay for prescription medications. Medicaid can go back up to three months prior to the date of a Medicaid claim. Note that it is possible to apply for Medicaid directly – through a local Medicaid office – without having a companion claim for SSI.
Medicaid is based upon your economic need; Medicare is not. For more information on Medicare, go to Medicare http://www.medicare.govor telephone 1-800-MEDICARE. For more information on Medicaid, go to Medicaid-Federal http://cms.hhs.gov/medicaid/mcontact.asp Telephone: 877-267-2323, or you can call your local Department of Jobs and Family Services agency.
Medicare is a federal insurance program that primarily serves people over 65, whatever their income. Additionally, it serves younger disabled people and dialysis patients. Patients pay part of costs through deductibles for hospital and other costs. Small monthly premiums are required for non-hospital coverage. Medicare is basically the same everywhere in the United States and is run by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, an agency of the Federal Government. Medicaid is an assistance program that is run by state and local governments within federal guidelines and varies from state to state. It primarily serves low-income people of every age. Patients usually pay no part of costs for covered medical expenses although a small co-pay is sometimes required.
Medicare is a federal health insurance program. It is federally funded and is administered to those who are elderly or disabled. Every legally employed individual contributes to Medicare during their working years. Medicaid is a program that provides medical aid to those of all ages who have low income and do not have the means of paying for medical expenses. The program is run by both the federal and the state governments. Eligibility is based on income and medical necessity.
Related Questions
- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Change Request from May 2, 2008 seems to state that only UB-04 claim form billers must include NDC information. Is that correct?
- I received a letter from Social Security that Medicaid will pay my Medicare premium for Part B. When will Medicaid start paying?
- Can I buy Tri-Luma without Health Insurance, Medicare or Medicaid?
