The Difference between Medicaid and Medicare

The Difference between Medicaid and Medicare

Table of Contents

Both Medicaid and Medicare are government –supported programs structured to assist in covering healthcare costs. Many people get confused about how these programs operate, as well as, what coverage they provide in general. The U.S government established both programs in 1965 under the sponsorship of the taxpayer money. Medicare and Medicaid are in fact different programs differing in eligibility, as well as, needs and coverage.

Medicaid gets structured to cover the healthcare expense for the poor while Medicare gets structured to cover the elderly with long-term coverage although much more gets still covered. On a different note, the populations eligible to Medicaid include; elderly people, pregnant women, people who need nursing home care, disabled, blind people, and children less than 19 years. On the other hand, Medicare gets meant for people of any age having chronic diseases like kidney failure. In addition, it is also eligible to people who are permanently disabled and cannot work, as well as the elderly and disabled citizens.

Medicaid is a collective state and federal program that caters for healthcare expenses incurred buy the low income earners. It also helps other populations authorized by the state or the centralized government. On the other hand, Medicare is a federal health insurance program catering for the elderly people, as well as permanently disabled people. It gets governed by the federal government. Additionally, this program also cares for children less than 19 years especially those suffering with chronic disease.

Medicare program has various coverage services the citizens choose to use. Eligibility of the Medicare healthcare services depends on the provision authorized by the federal government. On Medicaid, eligibility relies on the rules on the state. It is surprising that there are people who qualify for both programs however, they should inquire from their state on what step to take.

Reference:

Investopedia (2010) article on the difference between Medicare and Medicaid retrieved from http://www.investopedia.com/articles/pf/07/medicare-vs-medicaid.asp#axzz2CCkwCRId

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