Medicare vs. Medicaid: What’s the difference?

Medicare and Medicaid are both government programs that provide assistance with healthcare, but beyond that there are major differences.

Qualifying for different types of coverage

Medicare is a federal insurance program that helps pay medical bills from a fund to which users have contributed. It covers people 65 and older, people younger than 65 with certain disabilities and patients with end-stage kidney disease and other conditions requiring dialysis. Participants usually pay part of the cost.

Medicaid is an assistance program provided jointly by federal and state agencies. It helps with medical expenses for eligible people with limited income and resources.

There are different rules for each state, but in most states, you may be eligible for Medicaid if you are under certain income levels and/or are:

65 and older
A child under age 19
Pregnant
Living with a disability
A parent or adult caring for a child
An adult with dependent children
An eligible immigrant

Participants usually pay nothing for covered medical costs, although they may sometimes be responsible for a small copayment or cost share.

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The basics of Medicare

There are 4 different parts of Medicare:

Original Medicare Part A helps cover inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing care, hospice care and home healthcare. Generally, if you have worked and paid Medicare taxes for the past 10 years, you don't pay a monthly premium for Original Medicare Part A.

Original Medicare Part B helps cover medical visits with doctors and other healthcare providers, outpatient care, home healthcare, durable medical equipment and some preventive services. Most participants pay a monthly premium for Original Medicare Part B.

Part C (also called Medicare Advantage) helps cover services provided for under Original Medicare Part A and Part B and may include prescription drug coverage (Part D). Part C is run by Medicare-approved private insurance companies.

Part D helps cover the cost of prescription drugs and may help lower the amount you pay for prescriptions. It's run by Medicare-approved private insurance companies.

Visit Medicare.gov for more information.

Medicaid eligibility

The rules and eligibility for Medicaid differ from state to state. In general, people enrolled in Medicaid have access to preventive care, prenatal and maternity care, doctor visits, hospital stays, long-term services, mental healthcare, medications and vision and dental care for children. Medicaid may also cover services not typically covered by Medicare.

If you qualify for Medicaid you may also be eligible for help paying for your Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D).

Are you dual eligible?

Some people can be eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid at the same time.

Dual-eligible beneficiaries are individuals who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid.

People who are dual eligible share costs with state-run Medicare Savings Programs (MSP), which provide help with premiums, deductibles, coinsurance and copayments, depending on the participant's income level and the specific MSP. There are programs where eligible participants may have no copayments or cost shares.

Visit HealthCare.gov to learn if you qualify for Medicaid.