Medicare vs Medicaid: What’s the Difference?
Sometimes, people mix up "Medicare" and "Medicaid" because they sound alike. But they are not the same thing! It’s important to know the difference so you can get the right help if you need it. Let’s break it down in a way that’s easy to understand.
What Is Medicare?
Medicare is a health insurance program for people who are 65 years old or older. Some younger people with certain disabilities can also get Medicare. You don’t have to worry about how much money you make—Medicare is mostly about age or certain health problems.
- Who gets it? Most people 65 or older, or younger people with certain disabilities or health problems (like kidney failure).
- What does it cover? Doctor visits, hospital stays, and some medicines. 
(It helps pay, but you may also have to pay a portion - sometimes called a deductible or a co-pay.)
What Is Medicaid?
Medicaid is a health program for people who don’t have a lot of money. It covers healthcare treatments for children and adults of any age. Medicaid is run by both the federal government and each state, so eligibility and coverage are often different from one state to the next.
- Who gets it? People who have a low income, including children, adults, older adults, and people with disabilities. 
Note: Low-income adults on Medicare are often eligible for Medicaid, as well. This is called "dual eligibility" - and in this case, Medicaid covers the co-pays. 
- What does it cover? Doctor visits, hospital stays, medicines, and sometimes extra help like long-term care ( sometimes called a nursing home). 
Key Differences
Let's make the difference even clearer:
| | Medicare | Medicaid | | :----------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------- | | Who For? | Mostly for people 65+ or adults with certain disabilities | For people with low income of any age | | Who Runs it? | Federal program (same in every state) | Federal and state program (rules can change by state) | | Effect? | You may pay some costs (like part of the bill or a monthly payment) | Often pays most or all costs, for those who qualify |
Can you have both? Yes! Some people (like older adults with low income) can have both Medicare and Medicaid. This is called being "dual eligible."
Conclusion
Medicare and Medicaid both help people get health care, but they help different groups for different reasons. Medicare is usually for older people and some with disabilities, no matter how much money they have. Medicaid is for people who need help because they don’t have a lot of money, and it can help people of all ages.
If you want to learn more, you can visit this easy-to-read guide from AARP.
Remember, it’s always good to ask questions if you’re not sure which one you or your loved ones might need!