Medicare and Medicaid help Americans get the medical care they need.
While some people assume that Medicare and Medicaid are the same program, they are actually very different. Medicare is federally funded health insurance for people over age 65, disabled or who have end-stage renal disease. Medicaid, on the other hand, refers to health care coverage for low-income Americans and is administered by individual states. Medicaid recipients must fall within the low-income guidelines established by the federal government or have certain qualifying family members. In some cases, low-income senior citizens qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid.
Instructions
Qualifying for Medicare
1. After turning 65, most Americans automatically qualify for Medicare if they worked for at least 10 years in Medicare-eligible employment.
2. Collect Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board disability benefits for at least 24 months. If you receive these benefits, you may be eligible for Medicare even if you are not age 65.
3. Qualify for Medicare with a diagnosis of end-stage renal disease, which is any kidney condition that requires a kidney transplant or dialysis. You can receive Medicare benefits at any age if you have this condition.
Qualifying for Medicaid
4. Meet the residency requirements for your state. In most states, you must be a U.S. citizen or legal immigrant and a resident of the state to qualify.
5. Satisfy the income requirements for the appropriate Medicaid program. Depending on your household size and makeup, you may qualify for Medicaid if your household income is equal to or less than 100 to 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. Your income requirements vary depending on whether there are infants, children or disabled persons living in your household.
6. Meet the asset guidelines if required by your state. Some states take your assets, such as property, bank accounts, stocks and retirement plans into account when determining your eligibility for Medicaid.
Tags: Medicare Medicaid, your household, end-stage renal, end-stage renal disease, income requirements, renal disease, your state
