Medicare and Medicaid are the two large public health insurance programs. Medicare covers people who are older or have certain disabilities and is run by the federal government. Medicaid covers people with low incomes and is run by states under federal rules, and the Children's Health Insurance Program extends help to children. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services oversees both.
People usually bring questions about how the two differ, who qualifies, how to apply or renew, and what each one covers, from prescriptions to dental and vision care. They also ask about Medicare's parts and Medicare Advantage plans, what people with both programs should know, how Medicaid pays for long-term care, and how budget laws change either program.
An independent team explaining how government works
TRICARE For Life (TFL), in its role as a "wraparound" payer for Medicare, covers medically necessary cataract surgery. Whether it covers the procedure in total or…
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period is the single most important time of year for millions of Americans who rely on Medicare for health coverage. Running from…
A reader writes to us: Why does the government force the elderly who are already on a fixed budget to pay for a Medicare Advantage (Part…
Keeping Medicaid coverage can require more frequent paperwork even when a person’s circumstances have not changed. Starting in 2027, states must recheck eligibility for adults in…
Maintaining Medicaid coverage requires beneficiaries to keep their information current with their state agency. Life changes happen and can impact eligibility for health benefits.…
How the Affordable Care Act's Medicaid expansion group works, which states adopted it, why the coverage gap exists, and how to check where a state stands.
Medicaid fee-for-service and managed care differ in who pays providers, how networks work, and where members turn for coverage questions and appeals.
Emergency Medicaid can cover care when immigration status blocks full benefits. Eligibility, applications, appeals and state options determine payment.
Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provide essential health coverage to millions of Americans. However, enrollment is not permanent. Federal and state…
Medicaid provides essential health coverage to millions of Americans with limited income and resources. For many older adults and individuals with disabilities, it serves…
Paying for long-term care is a significant concern for many older Americans and their families. While personal savings or private insurance can cover some…
This guide explains how Medicaid works for people with disabilities in the United States, covering eligibility requirements, available services, and how to begin the…
The Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provides low-cost health coverage for children in families with incomes too high for Medicaid but not enough to…
The Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provides free or low-cost health insurance for eligible children and, in some states, pregnant women. CHIP serves as…
