What is the difference between Medicare and Medicaid?

Answer 1

The thing to know about Medicare is that this program is insurance for acute illnesses of older Americans and certain disabled younger Americans. If you are enrolled in Medicare Parts A and Part B, bills pertaining to procedures that are deemed "medically necessary" will be paid for because it is insurance.

"Medically necessary" is the most important Medicare term. Medicare will not pay for any procedure or care that is not deemed as necessary for the recovery or rehabilitation of a patient. A lot of people think Medicare will pay
for one's nursing home. Yes, Medicare will pay for limited days of nursing home care that is "medically necessary" after, say, a hip replacement or after a hospitalization for some other health episode. But, if the doctor determines that there will be no further recovery for a person--say someone who just has suffered a stroke and is as good as they are going to ever be physically, well, Medicare benefits for that episode basically end. Again, Medicare is insurance primarily for acute illnesses--it was not designed to pay for the costs of day-to-day custodial care--services many vulnerable older people need to stay healthy like bathing, feeding, toileting, etc.

Many--and I do mean a whole lot of people I know-- get Medicare confused with Medicaid. Medicaid is a health insurance program for the poor or "medically indigent." Medicaid is only available to folks who meet rigorous financial guidelines. If one qualifies for Medicaid--and folks at the state level determine this--then costs for medical care or the nursing home will be paid. Of course, someone pays this cost, because doctors' offices, hospitals and nursing homes have to pay their bills--and that "someone" is the taxpayers. The costs for Medicaid services are shared by the state government and by the federal government.

There is a lot more to know about Medicare and about Medicaid. If you are an older person or someone researching this question for an older relative or friend, you might consider calling your local Area Agency on Aging. If you live in the United States or one of the territories, there is one serving your area. You can call toll-free 1-800-677-1116 to find out the one serving you. Each Area Agency on Aging has professionals available to answer questions like this one. You will most likely find the people there friendly and very helpful.

If you do contact your local area agency on aging and like the help that they give you, let your local county officials and your folks in Congress know. Area Agencies on Aging don't have big budgets for advertising--they are one of the best kept secrets for information about Medicare and Medicaid!

Hope this helps! Best wishes!

Answer 2

Medicare is a federal insurance program, whereas Medicaid is funded through the state. This page covers the differences between the two programs. https://www.fhkinsurance.com/medicare-q-a/difference-between-medicaid-and-medicare

Answer 3

Simply put, Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people age 65 and older, certain people under 65 with disabilities and certain people with kidney disease. Medicaid, which is administered by the states, is a program of health coverage for certain people with low incomes or very high medical bills. Eligibility for Medicare depends on age or disability only; eligibility for Medicaid depends on age, disability or family status and on an individual’s (or family’s) income and resources.

http://www.medicareadvocacy.org/Medicaid_Diff.Vs.Medicare.htm

Answer 4

Medicare is a federal program and Medicaid is state funded.

Answer 5

Medicare is the insurance for retired people who qualify, and medicaid is provided by the government. For ppl that are disabled or unable to work.

Answer 6

medicare is for senior citizens over the age 60 or soemthing like that.

medicaid is health coverage for low income familes and disabled persons at any age.

Answer 7

One has the letters "re" on the end. The other has the letters "id"