1. What Are the Differences? (Part 1)
Medicare and Medicaid
What Are the Differences? (Part 1)

2. Medicaid and Medicare
are two important healthcare programs available to citizens of the United States

3. They were created when the
Social Security Act was amended in 1965 and are managed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

4. These programs effectively extended healthcare coverage to almost all Americans age 65 or older

5. and healthcare services to low-income children without parental support and the relatives who take care of them, the elderly, the blind and individuals with disabilities

6. Though these programs have similar purposes, they are very different
in terms of how the programs are run, who can be eligible for benefits and the limits on those benefits

7. Medicare

8. Medicare is essentially an insurance program available to
people over the age of 65 regardless of income level
younger people who are disabled
patients with End-Stage Renal Disease requiring dialysis

9. Through this program, patients pay a portion of the costs for medical treatment through deductibles and monthly premiums are required for non-hospital coverage

10. Medicare benefits are usually provided by private companies that contract with Medicare to provide those benefits

11. Because Medicare is a federal program, it is basically the same everywhere in the United States

12. Medicare has several different parts that cover specific kinds of services:
Medicare Part A - Hospital Insurance
Medicare Part B - Medical Insurance
Medicare Part C - Medicare Advantage Plans
Medicare Part D – Prescription Drug Coverage

13. Medicare Part A

14. Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) helps pay for care in a hospital and skilled nursing facility, home health care and hospice care

15. Most people don't have to pay for Medicare Part A because Medicare provides the coverage

16. You have a choice of any doctor, hospital or other healthcare provider that accepts Medicare

17. You or your supplement insurance coverage would be responsible for deductibles and coinsurance (or copays)

18. Medicare Part B

19. Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance), which helps pay for doctors, outpatient hospital care and other preventive medical services

20. Most people do pay for
Medicare Part B

21. With Part B, you can also choose
any doctor, hospital or other healthcare provider that accepts Medicare

22. You or your supplement insurance coverage would be responsible for deductibles and coinsurance (or copays)

23. Medicare Part C

24. (Medicare Advantage Plans)
Medicare Part C
(Medicare Advantage Plans)
are offered by a private company that contracts with Medicare to provide
Part A and Part B benefits

25. Medicare Advantage Plans include the following:
Health Maintenance Organizations
Preferred Provider Organizations
Private Fee-for-Service Plans
Special Needs Plans, and
Medicare Medical Savings Account Plans

26. Coverage is provided by the private insurance companies that are
APPROVED BY MEDICARE

27. You are required with most plans to use doctors, hospitals and other
providers who are within the plan

28. You are required to pay monthly premiums in addition to any Part B premium that you pay, along with deductibles and copays

29. Medicare Part D

30. (prescription drug coverage) adds prescription drug coverage to
Medicare Part D
(prescription drug coverage)
adds prescription drug coverage to
Medicare Parts A and B, some Medicare Cost Plans, some Medicare Private-Fee-for-Service Plans, and Medicare Medical Savings Account Plans

31. If you want this coverage, you should join a
Medicare Prescription Drug Plan
and pay the monthly premium

32. Medicare-approved companies
These plans are run by
Medicare-approved companies

33. Some Medicare Advantage Plans offer prescription drug coverage

34. If they do not, you can join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan

35. What do you do about gaps in your healthcare coverage?

36. If there are any gaps in your
healthcare coverage, you can obtain what is known as a Medicare Supplement Insurance or “Medigap” policy through a private company

37. Medicare Advantage Plan, you cannot use a Medigap policy
However, if you have a
Medicare Advantage Plan,
you cannot use a Medigap policy
to pay for any out-of-pocket costs

38. In fact, if you already have a Medicare Advantage Plan,
you cannot be sold a Medigap policy

39. Who is eligible for Medicare?

40. You are generally eligible for Medicare if
you are 65 years or older
a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the U.S.
you or your spouse have worked for at least 10 years at Medicare-covered job

41. If you are not 65, but you have a disability or End-Stage Renal disease requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant, you may also qualify

42. Learn More About
Medicare in Arkansas

43. Deborah Sexton Law Office
(479)