Learn About Medicare and Medicaid Program Differences

Understanding Medicare: Program Structure and Coverage

Medicare is a federal health insurance program that started in 1965. It serves people age 65 and older, some younger people with disabilities, and people with end-stage renal disease. As of 2024, approximately 68 million people receive Medicare benefits. The program operates under the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

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Medicare divides into four main parts, each covering different medical services. Part A covers hospital insurance, including inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and some home health services. Part B covers medical insurance for doctor visits, outpatient services, medical equipment, and some preventive care. Part D covers prescription drug costs through private insurance companies approved by Medicare. Part C, also called Medicare Advantage, is an alternative way to receive Parts A, B, and D coverage through private insurance plans.

The program operates on a fiscal year basis. In 2024, the Part A hospital insurance deductible was $1,632 per benefit period. Part B has a monthly premium that varies based on income, starting at $174.70 for most people in 2024, though higher earners pay more. Part D premiums vary widely depending on which drug plan a person chooses.

Medicare is funded through several sources. Payroll taxes from workers and employers fund Parts A and B—people pay 1.45% of wages, and employers match that amount. Part B is also funded through general tax revenue. Beneficiaries pay premiums, deductibles, and copayments. Part D is funded through premiums paid by beneficiaries and general tax revenue.

Practical takeaway: Understanding which Medicare parts cover different services helps people know what costs they might face. Someone using Medicare Part A for a hospital stay, Part B for doctor care, and Part D for medications is using three different parts of the program.

Learning About Medicaid: State-Based Coverage Programs

Medicaid is a joint federal and state program established in 1965 alongside Medicare. Unlike Medicare, which is uniform nationwide, Medicaid varies significantly by state. Each state designs its own program within federal guidelines, which means coverage levels, income limits, and benefits differ. As of 2023, approximately 72 million people received Medicaid coverage across all states.

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Medicaid covers low-income individuals and families, children, pregnant people, elderly persons, and people with disabilities. States set their own income limits, though federal law establishes minimums. For example, a family of three might have an income limit of $2,930 per month in one state but $4,800 per month in another state. This variation means someone might get Medicaid in one state but not qualify in another state with the same income.

The Medicaid program covers many services, including doctor visits, hospital care, laboratory and imaging services, family planning, nursing home care, home health services, transportation to medical appointments, and preventive care. Many state programs also cover dental care, vision care, and mental health services, though coverage varies. Unlike Medicare, Medicaid covers long-term care and nursing home services, which is significant because Medicare has strict time limits.

Medicaid is funded through federal and state tax dollars. The federal government pays a percentage of costs that varies by state, ranging from 50% to 77% depending on state income levels. Wealthier states receive a lower federal match, while lower-income states receive a higher federal match. States must contribute matching funds. This cost-sharing arrangement means states have an incentive to manage their programs carefully.

Practical takeaway: Because Medicaid varies by state, someone moving to a different state should research whether their coverage will change. A person with Medicaid coverage for dental care in one state may need to find alternative coverage for dental work if they move to a state that doesn't include dental services in its Medicaid program.

Key Differences: Funding, Age, and Program Structure

Medicare and Medicaid differ fundamentally in their funding structure, which shapes how each program operates. Medicare is primarily funded through payroll taxes paid by workers during their working years. When someone reaches age 65, they draw on that system they funded. Medicaid is funded through general tax revenue, with contributions from both the federal government and individual states. This means Medicaid is allocated based on current government budgets rather than accumulated individual contributions.

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Age eligibility represents another major distinction. Medicare serves primarily people age 65 and older. The program also covers some younger people with specific conditions, such as end-stage renal disease or ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), regardless of age. Medicaid, by contrast, serves people of any age who meet income and other criteria. Medicaid covers infants, children, working-age adults, pregnant people, and elderly individuals. A 30-year-old might have Medicaid if their income is low enough, but that same person would not get Medicare based on age alone.

Program structure differs significantly. Medicare is a uniform federal program—all people on Medicare receive the same basic coverage framework. The federal government administers Medicare directly through CMS. Medicaid is administered by states with federal oversight. States create their own benefit packages, set income limits, determine which providers participate, and manage their own programs. This means a specific service covered by Medicaid in California may not be covered by Medicaid in Texas.

Income testing works differently in each program. Medicare does not have income limits for initial coverage, though higher earners pay higher premiums for Parts B and D. Medicaid has strict income limits that vary by state and family size. A family exceeding the income limit in their state cannot get Medicaid, regardless of other factors. In 2024, federal poverty guidelines for a family of four were $31,200 annually, but individual state Medicaid programs set limits both above and below this threshold.

Practical takeaway: These structural differences mean the two programs serve different populations for different reasons. Medicare is a defined-benefit program for older adults and certain disabled populations, while Medicaid is an income-based program for people of any age with low or moderate income.

Coverage Types and What Each Program Covers

Medicare's coverage focuses on medical services rather than long-term care or social services. Part A covers inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing facilities (up to 100 days per benefit period under certain conditions), hospice care, and some home health services. The program covers the costs of hospital room, meals, nursing care, medications, and medical equipment during inpatient stays. Skilled nursing facility coverage requires a prior hospital stay of at least three days and covers nursing care and rehabilitation services.

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Medicare Part B covers doctor office visits, outpatient hospital services, physical and occupational therapy, diagnostic tests, and preventive services. The program covers 80% of approved charges after the beneficiary pays the deductible, though patients typically pay 20% coinsurance for most services. Preventive services covered at no cost include annual wellness visits, cancer screenings, cardiovascular disease screenings, and diabetes screenings.

Medicaid coverage is broader but varies by state. All state programs must cover certain mandatory services including inpatient hospital care, outpatient hospital services, emergency services, physician services, laboratory and imaging services, family planning, and nursing home care. Many states cover additional optional services like dental care, vision care, mental health services, substance abuse treatment, physical therapy, and transportation to medical appointments. Some states cover services like acupuncture, chiropractic care, or podiatry, while others do not.

A critical difference appears in long-term care coverage. Medicare has limited nursing home coverage—it covers skilled nursing care for up to 100 days per benefit period only if the person was hospitalized for at least three days immediately before admission. It does not cover custodial care or indefinite nursing home stays. Medicaid, by contrast, covers nursing home care, assisted living facilities, and home and community-based services for extended periods. This is why many elderly people with significant long-term care needs eventually become Medicaid beneficiaries—Medicare coverage expires but Medicaid continues to pay for ongoing care.

Practical takeaway: Someone planning for potential long-term care should understand that Medicare will not cover extended nursing home stays. Medicaid may cover such care for those who meet income and resource limits, which is why financial planning around aging often includes strategies related to Medicaid rules.

Enrollment Processes and Ongoing Participation