| When you reach the age of 65 or become disabled, | | | | requirements differ from State to State although they |
| you are eligible for Medicare, but when are you eligible | | | | are all subject to certain general guidelines established |
| for Medicaid? Medicaid eligibility, unlike Medicare's, is not | | | | by the CMS offices. It is still necessary to contact the |
| automatic. | | | | State office in the State where you reside to get the |
| Medicaid is a government funded health insurance | | | | exact details for eligibility. There is one common thread |
| program like Medicare. The difference is that Medicaid | | | | and that is inability to pay for normal health insurance. |
| is intended for people with low incomes, financial | | | | Inability to pay can be because of low income or |
| hardships, and certain medical and mental disabilities. | | | | because of physical disability. The State guidelines will |
| Medicare is a program like Social Security that is really | | | | determine the income level for eligibility and these |
| the right of every citizen to enjoy because they helped | | | | guidelines are fairly strict. Certain restrictions cover |
| pay for it during their working life. Medicaid is a social | | | | such things as making gifts of your home or residence |
| welfare program intended to give aid to the poor and | | | | in order to qualify as having no tangible assets. |
| less fortunate citizens. | | | | Although Medicaid fraud is not unheard of, it is not as |
| The Medicaid program is not funded entirely by the | | | | common as many think because of the diligence of |
| Federal Government, nor is it administered exclusively | | | | the States. |
| by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services | | | | Medicare and Medicaid are not mutually exclusive, |
| (CMS). The individual State governments share in the | | | | however. It is possible to be eligible for both. Medicare |
| administration and in the funding. In some cases, local | | | | is intended for all citizens when they reach the age of |
| communities are involved in the funding process. Each | | | | 65 or become disabled regardless of income. It is |
| State was given the option to participate in the | | | | known as dual eligibility when a person qualifies for |
| Medicaid program or to decline. At the present time | | | | both programs. Medicaid fills a definite social need, but |
| every State has chosen to participate. Some States | | | | no one should be unhappy that they do not meet the |
| have given their own names to the program. | | | | eligibility requirements for it. |
| Since each State was given options, the eligibility | | | | |