It is not uncommon for our clients to confuse Medicare with Medicaid or to misspeak when discussing Medicaid and use the term Medicare instead, thinking they are interchangeable. Well, they are not. There is quite a difference. Medicare is a federal insurance program that pays for certain services for those that are 65 and older, or may be disabled, and have paid into the Social Security program. Medicare is financed by you to a small extent through your Part “B” premium, with the remainder paid by the federal government. It is designed to look like insurance, so there are several options and plans. There are Parts A, B, C, and D. Each provides different aspects of health care. For example, Part A is for hospital coverage, Part D is for your prescriptions.
Medicaid, on the other hand, is a public health program that is funded by both the state and the federal government. A person in Ohio is entitled to Medicaid once they meet income and eligibility requirements. It provides necessary health care coverage to individuals that meet these requirements.
Medicaid for older adults and people with disabilities covers several services. It covers home care, prescription drugs, doctor visits, dental care, vision services, hospital care, laboratory work, x-rays and several other services. If eligible, these are services that you are entitled to. The state cannot limit the number eligible nor can they deny access to medically necessary services.
Both programs are very helpful to our seniors. Just remember when calling into the office, there is a difference.
