What is the difference between Medicare and Medicaid?

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.  more

A. The short answer is that Medicaid is a poverty program and Medicare isn't. Most disabled people who get Medicaid get it because they are on Supplemental Security Income (SSI). 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. For Medicare it does not matter whether you are rich or poor. If you have been on Disability Insurance Benefits, Disabled Widows or Widowers Benefit or Disabled Adult child Benefits for 24 months you qualify for Medicare. The good thing about Medicare is that it pays doctors at a higher rate than Medicaid. Almost all doctors are happy to take Medicare patients. The bad things about Medicare are that it does not begin until after a person has been on cash disability ...  more

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. For Medicare it does not matter whether you are rich or poor. If you have been on Disability Insurance Benefits, Disabled Widows or Widowers Benefits or Disabled Adult Child Benefits for 24 months you qualify for Medicare. The good thing about Medicare is that it pays doctors at a higher rate ...  more

Medicare is federal health insurance for people over 65 and certain disabled people under 65. Medicare is divided into two parts: Part A, hospital insurance, and Part B, medical insurance. Part A covers inpatient care in hospitals and limited coverage in a skilled nursing facility. Part B covers physician and outpatient services. Medicaid is a federally mandated program providing health insurance benefits for low income individuals and families. The program is financed largely through federal funds but is administered by each state through their Medicaid agency. In Massachusetts, the Medicaid program is called "MassHealth". Medicaid is the program that pays for long term stays in nursing homes provided the applicant has met rigid eligibility requirements.  more

In general, Medicare is the government benefit program that covers medical expenses such as hospital bills and doctors fees for individuals who are at least 65 years old, or sooner, if the individual is disabled, regardless of how much money that individual owns. Medicaid is the government benefit program that can cover nursing home and assisted living care costs, but only if the individual meets the asset and income requirements of the Medicaid program. 2.  more

A. Medicare is the part A and B insurance coverage through the Social Security Administration. Medicaid is a state program that covers Medicaid expenses and may be in addition to Medicare.  more

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.  more

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.  more

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. For Medicare it does not matter whether you are rich or poor. If you have been on Disability Insurance Benefits, Disabled Widows or Widowers Benefits or Disabled Adult Child Benefits for 24 months you qualify for Medicare. The good thing about Medicare is that it pays doctors at a higher rate ...

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.  more