Both Medicare and Medicaid are government programs that help eligible individuals with medical costs. Because of the similar names, though, people have trouble knowing which program they need. Let’s take a look at how each program handles two important things: eligibility and services.
Medicare and Medicaid Eligibility
Medicare is offered only to those 65 or older or people with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). Medicaid offers benefits from children to pregnant women to nursing home residents.
People can check online or with their local Social Security office to see if they are qualified for Medicare. Typically, most people are enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B when they turn 65.
The application process for Medicaid is more complicated. Benefits are based on income and resources. Medicaid looks back at applicant’s finances for five years from the date of application. Some applicants may find they are not eligible for benefits, or their benefits are delayed, because of transactions like transferring assets to their children.
So, a person over the age of 65 with limited income and resources might be eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid.
Medicare and Medicaid Services
Medicare is divided into four parts:
- Part A – Inpatient care at a hospital or skilled nursing facility.
- Part B – Some preventive care, outpatient care like doctor’s appointments.
- Part C – Advantage plans that combine Part A and Part B benefits, as well as the option to include drug coverage.
- Part D – Prescription drug coverage.
Medicare recipients choose which plan they want, usually based on their needs and how much they can pay for the premiums.
Medicaid, on the other hand, pays for care like that received at a hospital or skilled nursing facility, federally-qualified health center, rural health clinic, freestanding birth center, and so on. This is by no means a comprehensive list of the services offered by Medicaid. In fact, states typically offer the following programs to help the following groups:
- Children,
- Parents and caretaker relatives,
- Pregnant women,
- Elderly and disabled persons,
- Nursing home residents, and
- Patients with breast or cervical cancer.
So, Medicare and Medicaid both offer benefits that cover medical care. However, Medicaid benefits target segments of our population that may not be covered by Medicare.
Learn More About Medicaid Eligibility.
The attorneys at Miller Estate and Elder Law know how to help you with Medicaid eligibility. For a free consultation, contact us at 256-251-2137 or use our convenient Contact Form. We also offer free workshops and guides with more information about topics that matter to you. Although we’re located in Anniston, we also help clients in the Birmingham, Gadsden, Hoover, Talladega, Vestavia Hills, and surrounding areas.