{"id":355758,"date":"2016-04-04T10:45:23","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:45:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/elder\/elder-care-law\/medicare-vs-medicaid.html"},"modified":"2024-02-29T11:21:02","modified_gmt":"2024-02-29T16:21:02","slug":"medicare-vs-medicaid","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/elder\/elder-care-law\/medicare-vs-medicaid.html","title":{"rendered":"Medicare vs. Medicaid for Older Adults"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n \n
\n

Medicare vs. Medicaid for Older Adults<\/h1>\n
\n
\n By Olivia Wathne, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

\n

Understanding Medicare and Medicaid is crucial for caregivers navigating an older adult loved one’s health care.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>

Medicare and Medicaid are government-sponsored programs to help people pay for health care costs. While both programs are taxpayer-funded, they have different eligibility requirements and costs. Your loved one may qualify for Medicare and Medicaid. But they must meet separate eligibility requirements for each program.<\/p>\r\n

If you are a caregiver, knowing the eligibility requirements and cost differences between these two programs can significantly affect the health care options available to your loved one.<\/p>\r\n

Medicare Coverage 101<\/h2>\r\n

Medicare is an insurance enrollment program<\/a> attached to Social Security. We pay for it by paying into Social Security. It was created to address the high medical costs older people face relative to the rest of the population. You can also use Medicare Advantage Plans through private insurance companies.<\/p>\r\n

Medicare is available to people 65 or older, whatever their income, younger disabled people, and dialysis patients. The federal government administers it and generally operates the same everywhere in the United States.<\/p>\r\n

The four-part Medicare program includes:<\/p>\r\n