|
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
MEDICARE AND MEDICAID
Medicare
Medicare is an insurance program. Medical bills are paid from
trust funds which those covered have paid into. It serves people
over 65 primarily, whatever their income; and serves younger
disabled people and dialysis patients. Patients pay part of
costs through deductibles for hospital and other costs. Small
monthly premiums are required for non-hospital coverage.
Medicare is a federal program. It is basically the same
everywhere in the United States and is run by the Health Care
Financing Administration, an agency of the federal government.
Medicaid
Medicaid is an assistance program. Medical bills are paid
from federal, state and local tax funds. It serves low-income
people of every age. Patients usually pay no part of costs for
covered medical expenses. A small co-payment is sometimes
required. Medicaid is a federal-state program. It varies from
state to state. It is run by state and local governments within
federal guidelines.
|