The Difference Between Medicare and Medicaid

The chief difference between Medicare and Medicaid is that Medicaid is designed at aid those living in poverty, and Medicare does not take into account your wealth or poverty. Since Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is also a program designed to aid persons who are living in poverty, persons collecting SSI are automatically eligible for Medicaid. Medicaid pays doctors and health providers are very low rates, but pays it does pay for prescriptions.

Medicare does not consider your wealth or poverty, but it does have a variety of other qualifications for eligibility. One way a person can be eligible for Medicare is by receiving Social Security Disability for a certain length of time. Persons receiving Social Security disability benefits for 24 months are automatically eligible for Medicare. Medicare pays doctors at higher rates than Medicaid, which allows enrolled persons to more easily find a good doctor. Medicare, however, does not pay for many prescriptions.