These programs may sound the same, but they’re different in many ways.
Medicare
Medicare is our country’s federal health insurance program. There are 4 different parts of Medicare that help cover specific services:
Eligibility requirements for Original Medicare Parts A and B include:
- Age 65 or older
- Younger than 65 with a qualifying disability
- Living with ESKD (end-stage kidney disease), permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant
Medicaid
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:
- Age 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