They sound similar. Unfortunately many people do not understand the differences between the two. Most people think Medicare will “care” for them forever but, that is simply not the case.
While Medicare and Medicaid sound similar, they are very different government programs. Medicare provides healthcare benefits for the over 65, blind, and disabled; while Medicaid provides medical benefits for the impoverished.
Medicare is a basically public health insurance for those age 65 and older. Medicare does not pay for long-term care! It will cover some rehabilitation and this is often confused with long-term care.. If a senior citizen has Medicare and is hospitalized for a stay of at least three days, and is then admitted into a skilled nursing facility, Medicare may pay – for a while. But once those Medicare benefits hit 100 consecutive days or the patient stops improving the coverage is over.
Often Medicare will not even provide coverage for the full 100 days. For the coverage to continue there must be improvement, otherwise Medicare cut you off. Many diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s have no known cure today, rehabilitation is not possible so Medicare will not provide coverage for a nursing home.
While Florida Medicaid is paid for by both federal and state funds it is run or administered by the state of Florida. This means that you cannot look to what happens in other states to decide what will work in Florida. Florida makes its own rules and adopts part of the federal guidelines but gets to determine how it is implemented.
Short synopsis of the difference between Medicare and Medicaid
Medicare
Health insurance for seniors age 65+
Federally controlled, uniform application across the country Pays for up to 100 days of nursing home care Pays for primary hospital care and related medically necessary services Must have contributed to Medicare system to be eligible and generally be over age 65
Medicaid
Needs-based health care program Controlled state by state, which created different regulations in each state of application Pays for long-term care Pays for medications Must meet income and asset limits to be eligible and be over 65, disabled, or blind
If you or a loved one need help qualifying for Medicaid or a Nursing home coverage ask a Jacksonville Medicaid Planning Lawyer how and IPUG trust may help you save assets and qualify early for Medicaid assistance.