How Does Medicare Differ from Medicaid?

Maybe people get confused because the first six letters of both Medicare and Medicaid are identical. But they are very different, as the article “Medicare vs. Medicaid” from U.S. News & World Report explains.

Each program concentrates on different populations and offers specific benefits for its insured. There are several differences between Medicare and Medicaid. However, they share one thing: they are similarly complex. Let’s look at the key differences between Medicare and Medicaid and how each health insurance program works.

Medicare- Medicare beneficiaries are primarily seniors. Everyone who has paid into the Medicare system becomes eligible for Medicare when they reach age 65. Medicare isn’t based on income. Those who’ve received Social Security disability benefits for two years or who have certain conditions, like ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease), are also eligible. Medicare is operated by the federal government, and expenses are paid from Medicare trust funds. Original Medicare includes Part A, which pays for expenses related to hospitalizations, and Part B, which covers outpatient care. Beneficiaries can also buy a separate Part D plan for prescription drugs. There may be deductible and copayment costs associated with these plans.

Those who’d rather get benefits from a private insurer, instead of from the government, can sign up for Medicare Advantage, or Part C. These plans are required to cover everything provided by Medicare Parts A and B, and many also provide Part D coverage and dental or vision care benefits. Medicare Advantage plans vary in their deductibles and out-of-pocket costs and can restrict participants to the use of a network of approved providers.

Medicaid- Medicaid is the government health insurance program for those in low to moderate income households. People may also be eligible if they have physical, intellectual, or behavioral disabilities. The income and asset limits vary by state, but 138% of the federal poverty limit is the median eligibility requirement for adults. Applicants can usually have no more than $2,000 in liquid assets. Medicaid coverage includes hospitalizations, outpatient care and prescription drugs, as well as long-term care. Many enrollees have little or no out-of-pocket costs for coverage.

To be eligible for Medicaid, seniors must spend down most of their assets, as well as meet income requirements. Most states have a five-year look-back period that prevents seniors from transferring assets to another family member to meet Medicaid eligibility.

Medicare and Medicaid pay for many of the basic services, but there may be gaps in coverage, such as dental services or prescriptions. One can close the gap in dental care, by coupling their Medicare or Medicaid coverage with an affordable alternative to dental insurance, such as a dental savings plan, which can save members between 10 to 60% on procedures. For prescriptions, free discount services can reduce drug costs by half or more.

One of the areas of practice for an elder law attorney is helping clients protect their assets and their families, so that they can qualify for Medicaid benefits, especially in a situation where they need long-term care. An estate planning attorney can also guide you through this complex process.

Reference: U.S. News & World Report (November 21, 2018) “Medicare vs. Medicaid