Medicaid is a U.S government sponsored program for low-income individuals and families to pay the cost of health care. Candidates are means-tested and the criteria are very strict and vary from state to state and must have less than $1000 in liquid assets. Medicaid covers a wider range than Medicare: hospitalization, x-rays, laboratory services, midwife services, clinic treatment, pediatrics care, family planning, nursing services and in-home nursing facilities for 21+ years, medical and surgical dental care. Medicaid coverage and policies may vary between states and in some states beneficiaries are required to pay the provider a small fee, known as a co-payment, of up to $30 per month for medical services. They also may take payment of deductibles and co-pay for certain services provided. Medicaid is made up of 50% Federal contribution and 50% state. Some states may pay more or less depending on the overall GDP. Medicaid pays almost 60% of all nursing home residents and about 37% of all childbirths in the United States. It accounted for 16.8% of the budget of states and 7% of the federal budget. The Federal Government pays on average 57% of Medicaid expenses. http://www.nls.org/conf/medicare-medicaid.htm
Medicare is a U.S government sponsored health care program for people above 65 years of age. Some people under 65 with certain disabilities and all people with end stage renal disease also fall under Medicare. All U.S citizens 65 and older qualify for Medicare and it doesn’t matter if you’re a millionaire or poor as long as you paid taxes into SS. Medicare is divided into three parts known as A, B and D. Part A covers hospital care and Part B covers medical insurance and Part D covers prescription drugs. It doesn’t vary by state since it is a federally run program. Medicare recipients may have to pay
