Maggie Evans 
The government provides help to those needing medical assistance in a number of ways. Two programs that the government offers are Medicare and Medicaid. Different people qualify for each of these programs, and the way that the two programs are run is similar but not identical. Those seeking medical assistance have to understand the differences between Medicare and Medicaid as well as which program is going to suit their life the best.
Medicare is Available to Those Over a Certain Age:
Medicare is a program that was created for older individuals who are looking for help paying for healthcare services. This program is available to those who are 65 and older, no matter their income, and it is also available to some younger people who have disabilities.
Medicaid is Available to Those Who are Struggling Financially:
In order to qualify for Medicaid, one has to be earning a certain amount or less. Those who are bringing home a good salary will not qualify for the program or be able to get financial assistance through it. The age of a person does not matter when one is looking into Medicaid, though, making it something that younger adults with medical issues can rely on.
Medicare is Made Up of Many Parts:
There are many parts that make up Medicare and that make the program seem confusing to some. Part A covers the costs of hospital and nursing home stays. Part B pays for medical equipment and outpatient services. There are also supplemental programs that provide help paying for prescription drugs and other needs. Some find that Medicaid is simpler in the way that it is set up.
Medicaid Offers Many Benefits:
There are certain benefits that Medicaid offers in all states, including coverage of inpatient hospital stays and laboratory services. There are also benefits that a state might choose to offer with this program, including coverage of prescription drugs and occupational and physical therapy. The number of benefits that a person receives through Medicaid will be determined by the state that they live in.
Medicare Costs the Same Throughout the Country:
No matter where a person lives, they will pay the same price for Medicare coverage. They will have the same kinds of bills to pay related to their healthcare if they move from one state to another, and they can know that all others enrolled in Medicare are facing the same costs that they are.
Medicaid Prices are Determined by the State One Lives In:
There are different charges that a state can make a person pay when they are covered by Medicaid. There are limits to the amount that a state can charge for the help that Medicaid offers, but one will notice a difference in their healthcare costs if they are enrolled in Medicaid and they move from one state to another.
Both Medicare and Medicaid Help Cover Essential Medical Services:
Both Medicare and Medicaid are similar in the types of services that they cover. Both provide help covering bills when a person is hospitalized or fighting a serious illness. Both programs help those who are unable to take care of their medical bills on their own. They also make people more likely to reach out for help when they think that they might have something going on with their health, rather than try to ignore that to avoid paying steep medical bills.
One Can Get Assistance When Enrolling in Either Plan:
If one is interested in learning more about either Medicare or Medicaid, there are people available to answer questions about the two programs and to assist those who would like to sign up for one or the other but who are nervous to attempt to do that on their own.
There are Clear Differences Between Medicare and Medicaid:
There is much that is similar about Medicare and Medicaid, but there are also clear differences between the two programs. While the two programs might overlap a bit when it comes to who they cover, for the most part they cover two very different groups of people. Knowing the differences between Medicare and Medicaid can help a person know what kind of help is out there for their needs.
