Medicaid vs. Medicare

Medicaid and Medicare are two very different programs with distinct differences. Medicare is a federally funded health insurance program while Medicaid is a joint federal and state program administered by the individual states.

Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people age 65 and older, people under 65 with disabilities and certain people with kidney diseases, such as End-Stage Renal Disease, which is permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Medicaid is a program that is administered by the individual states within the United States. It is a program designed to provide health care coverage for people with very low incomes or very high medical bills. Each state designs its own Medicaid program which usually consists of both mandatory and optional eligibility groups and mandatory and optional services.

Medicare eligibility depends on age or disability alone; Medicaid eligibility depends on age, disability, family status and on an individual’s (or family’s) income and resources.

Good health is very important to everyone or at least should be, and if you can't afford to pay for your medical care, Medicare or Medicaid can make it possible for you to get the care you need so that you can be healthy and stay healthy.

Information on Medicaid Eligibility