Difference Between Medicare and Medicaid
For a society to function effectively, it has to consider the strengths and weaknesses of every member. This is exactly what the authorities have done when they have proposed initiatives to meet the health needs of every citizen of the country. Disease is one of the things we have no control over. Thank God for hospitals, but not everyone can afford them. This is where the government steps in to help those who may not be able to help themselves no matter how hard they try.
To address this issue, the authority has developed two initiatives that can be accessed by anyone who falls under the stated category. To take advantage of them, you (a US citizen) need to understand the difference between Medicare and Medicaid. This will allow you to take full advantage the maximum benefits of both if and when you’re affected.
Definition of Medicare
Medicare is a program initiated and implemented in the US to cover health-related expenses for people with end-stage kidney disease, people over 65 years, and people with disabilities. Anyone in one of these 3 categories can receive free care if they need it.
One way to answer the question – what’s the difference between Medicare and Medicaid? – is that this one is designed in 4 parts – A for hospital insurance, B for health insurance, D for prescription drug coverage. The first part covers palliative care, nursing care, and some home care. The second part covers medical supplies, ambulatory care, physician services, and prevention. The third part covers the cost plan, the private fee-for-service plan, the medical savings account plan, and the original Medicare.
Another notable difference between Medicaid and Medicare is that the 4th plan, which is the Medicare advantage, is more like an advanced plan that offers everything under one plan. So, people with this plan do not need to look for the other three plans because they have access to all this and even more. One of the extra benefits of this category is that recipients can get additional benefits for population health initiatives, like transportation costs and doctor’s appointments. It also offers supplementary benefits for sight and mouth among others.
All of these are interesting benefits, but they apply only in the US. People who are eligible for these services cannot access them if they are in a foreign country. However, one difference between Medicare and Medicaid recipients is that under this plan, you have access to Medigap if you are under the A and B parts. This option is complimentary in nature and can pay for international health expenses, and can help the beneficiaries pay for out-of-pocket services.
Definition of Medicaid
Medicaid is a humanitarian health insurance program designed to support low-income earners. This is a good way of ensuring they get good healthcare services, even if they are above their financial abilities. The eligibility factor is by far the biggest difference in Medicare and Medicaid. But how can you be eligible for this program? What is the accepted definition of “low-income earners” that can gain access to this plan?
To answer this question, you have to consider the affected household and the number of people affected in that household. Generally, if your income is less than 100% of the federal poverty level, then you are eligible. Here is a breakdown of how it works – the number of persons and the amount of their income.
| Number of persons affected | Household income ($) |
| One | 12,140 |
| Two | 16,460 |
| Three | 20,780 |
| Four | 25,100 |
| Five | 29,420 |
| Six | 33,740 |
| Seven | 38,060 |
| Eight | 42,380 |
As you can see, it does not matter if you have a disability, as long as your income is lower than stated, then you can have access to this program. This is one of the factors that answers the question – what is the difference between Medicare and Medicaid? However, persons with disabilities may qualify for both if they fall into both categories. Also, this plan does not consider age, unlike the other, and it takes into consideration the number of people affected as a family.
If you have access to both plans, how exactly are they calculated? First of all, you do not have to worry about it, because the system would actually take care of everything. All you have to do is stay up to date on both plans so the concerned authorities can see them.
Medicare vs Medicaid Comparison Table
There are a lot of things to consider when trying to answer the question – what is the difference between Medicaid and Medicare? A simple illustration such as the table below helps to better identify the disparities between these two.
| Basis of Comparison | Medicare | Medicaid |
| Definition | A health program in the US to cover health-related expenses for people who are over 65 years, people with late-stage kidney disease, and people who have some form of disabilities. | A special health insurance program designed to support -low-income earners. |
| Eligibility factor | Age, disability, and certain diseases. | Income. |
| Plans | Concerned with one individual at a time. | Concerned with one or more individuals at a time. |
| Enrolment | Between Oct 15 to Dec 7. | You can sign up at any time of the year. |
Conclusion of Main Difference Between Medicare vs Medicaid
The most basic way to answer the question – what’s the difference between Medicaid and Medicare? – concerns the mode of eligibility. While one is for individuals over 65 years of age, the disabled, and those with late-stage kidney disease, the other one is for those who may not have enough to cover their daily expenses as well as medical bills. One is concerned only with the affected person; the other with the affected person and his/her family members.
The fundamental similarity is that both of these plans are aimed at providing health care services to particular categories of people; that is about everything people can tall you about these initiatives in most cases. Maybe a what is the difference between Medicare and Medicaid quiz can help put things in place.
