Is it Medicare or Medicaid?
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: July 16, 2021
A lot of people have a difficult time understanding the difference between Medicare and Medicaid. Both programs begin with the letter “M.” They’re both health insurance programs run by the government. People often ask questions about what Medicare and Medicaid are, what services they cover, and who administers the programs.
Let’s start with Medicare. Medicare is the earned-benefit program for Americans aged 65 or older or disabled. Workers pay into Medicare throughout their working years. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is the agency in charge of both Medicare and Medicaid, but you sign up for Medicare A (Hospital) and Medicare B (Medical) through Social Security.
You can apply for Medicare online from the convenience of your home on our Medicare Benefits page. If you’re already receiving Social Security retirement benefits when you reach age 65 or are in the 25th month of receiving disability checks, we will enroll you automatically.
Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage) and Part D (Prescription Drug) plans are available for purchase in the insurance marketplace. Social Security administers a program called Extra Help to help people with low income and low resources pay for premiums, co-pays, and co-insurance costs for Part D plans. You can find out more about Extra Help and file for it on our Extra Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs page. Each year, The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services publishes Medicare and You available online at their website. This publication is a user’s manual for Medicare.
Each state runs its own Medicaid program under guidance from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Medicaid offers care for the most vulnerable among us. While it does not require paying taxes while working, it does have guidelines about how much income and resources you can have to qualify. Medicaid provides coverage for older people, people with disabilities, and some families with children. Each state has its own eligibility rules and decides which services to cover. The names of the Medicaid program may vary from state to state. You can read about each state’s Medicaid program on their State Overviews page. You can find each state’s Medicaid contact information on the Contact Your State With Questions page.
Medicare and Medicaid are two of the major insurance programs that provide healthcare to the American public. Understanding each program, as well as how the two programs differ, can help you and those you care about find the right healthcare program.
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Tags: Disability, Medicaid, Medicare
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Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
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terry L.
I was assigned Plan B…do I have to keep it?
Ray F.
Thank you for your question, Terry. Generally, individuals receiving Social Security benefits are automatically enrolled in Medicare Parts A (hospital insurance) and Part B ( medical insurance) when they become eligible for Medicare benefits.
However, because you must pay a premium for Part B coverage, you do have the option of turning it down. A beneficiary may refuse Medicare Part B, during his or her Initial Enrollment Period, if that beneficiary or the spouse, actively works and has coverage under a group health plan based on that employment, then he or she doesn’t need Medicare part B until the work activity ends or that health care coverage is dropped. However, we always suggest that individuals speak to their personnel office, health benefits advisor, or health plan representative to see what’s best for them, and to prevent any penalties or delayed enrollment in the future.
To learn more about the Medicare enrollment periods visit http://www.Medicare.gov.
For specific questions about your case, call 1-800-772-1213, M-F between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. and ask a representative to assist you, or you can contact your local office directly. We hope this helps!
terry L.
What if I don’t want Plan B but was automatically assigned? What does Plan B provide?
RUSS
Thank you.
Harvey G.
I hear advertisements on Medicare, and Medicare state icing no extra costs for eye care and Dental, what does A person have to do to et this service?
Ray F.
For general information on what Medicare covers go to http://www.medicare.gov
Thanks!
Anthony W.
Thank you for both programs. Only in America can we survive thru a horrific disease that happens unexpectedly. For me it was at age 33. Sorry for being unable to work. I.appreciate the help. Without it, I could not imagine; where I would be. Just wanted to say thanks it bothers me that I can bot support myself on my own. Thank God for President Truman and this decision by our Government.
Ashok K.
Me & my wife aged 74 yrs & yrs respectively have entered US on Immigration Visa on 15th Feb’ 2018. We do not have any source of income in US and staying with our daughter at Wayne NJ. We have with us 6 months duration Medicare Travel Policy purchased from India.
We have received our Social Security Numbers on 22nd Feb’ 2018 and awaiting receipt of Green Card from authority for which necessary fees have been paid. We would request to kindly inform us what medical facility and monetary assistance we can have and what are the procedures for that. Apart from that, what other benefits we can avail, may also please be informed. Thanks.
Ray F.
Generally, only people age 65 or older, who are citizens or permanent residents of the United States, are eligible for Medicare.
If you’re not eligible for Part A at no cost, you can buy Part B, without having to buy Part A, if you’re age 65 or older
and you’re:
• A U.S. citizen; or
• A lawfully admitted noncitizen, who has lived in the United States for at least five years.
Maria D.
I need my white plastic medicarecard. Can you help?
Ray F.
Hello Maria, you can get a replacement Medicare card by using your online my Social Security account. Thanks!
Maria D.
I have the red,white,blue social security card. What I need is the white plastic Medicare card. Can you ell me?
Marilyn F.
Two weeks ago I talked to a Social Security representative asking for a duplicate letter to one sent to me in November with the explanation of my 2018 Medicare billing due. As of February 5 I have not received the letter which she said was mailed. Would you be able to trace that letter?
Sian
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