 income requirements. In fact, Medicaid provides health coverage to more than 8.8 million non-elderly individuals with disabilities.
Each state has its own rules regarding Medicaid eligibility. All states are required to offer certain mandatory benefits under Medicaid, including inpatient and outpatient hospital services, physician services, lab and X-ray services, and family planning services. Individual states, meanwhile, can elect to provide additional Medicaid benefits, including physical and occupational therapy, respiratory care services, dental services, and prescription drugs.
Differences between Medicare and Medicaid
Though both Medicare and Medicaid are medical care programs, Medicare is age-based, while Medicaid is need-based. As such, it costs money to enroll in certain parts of Medicare, and enrollees are subject to deductibles and co-payments. With Medicaid, enrollees generally pay nothing for the care they receive, though individual states are allowed to impose deductibles, co-payments, and other charges on beneficiaries. The amounts charged typically vary based on income.
Another major difference between the two programs is that Medicaid offers certain benefits not typically covered by Medicare. While Medicare provides limited long-term care coverage, Medicaid will typically cover services such as nursing-home care and assisted-living facilities for longer periods of time.
Some people are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid. A low-income individual over 65, for example, might qualify for both programs. However, those seeking coverage under each program must apply separately. While you'll often hear the terms Medicare and Medicaid used interchangeably, in reality, they are very different beasts, and understanding how each program works can help you get access to the healthcare benefits you need.
Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.