FAQs Category: Medicare and Medicaid (2024)

Medicaid is for certain individuals and families with low incomes and resources. Eligibility and benefits vary considerably from State to State. Medicare insurance is available for people age 65 or older, younger people with disabilities and people with End Stage Renal Disease. There is also a nationwide network of community-based health care centers that provide primary health care services at low or no cost.

To find a doctor that accepts Medicare payments, you can visit Medicare.gov and use the Care Compare tool. You can search by street address, city, state, ZIP code, type of provider and doctor's name or the name of a practice or facility.

To find a doctor that accepts Medicaid, you can contact your health plan or the Medicaid agency in your state.

You can request a replacement red, white, and blue Medicare card online using your personal Social Security account. Social Security will mail your replacement card within about 30 days to the address they have on file. You can also print an official copy of your card from your secure Medicare account.

Medicare is federal health insurance for anyone age 65 and older, and some people under 65 with certain disabilities or conditions. Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that gives health coverage to some people with limited income and resources.

Generally, we advise people to sign up for Medicare when they’re first eligible to avoid a gap in coverage and/or late enrollment penalties. For most people, Medicare eligibility starts three months before turning 65 and ends three months after turning 65. Some people get Medicare automatically. Visit Medicare.gov for more on eligibility and enrollment.

Medicare Part B helps cover medical services like doctors' services, outpatient care, and other medical services that Part A doesn't cover.

Medicare Part D is Prescription Drug Coverage. Since January 1, 2006, everyone with Medicare, regardless of income, health status, or prescription drug usage has had access to prescription drug coverage.

A Medicare Advantage Plan (like an HMO or PPO) is another Medicare health plan choice you may have as part of Medicare. Medicare Advantage Plans, sometimes called “Part C” or “MA Plans,” are offered by private companies approved by Medicare.

Medicare Part B helps cover the cost of medical services like doctors' services, outpatient care, and other medically necessary services that Part A doesn't cover. Part B is optional.

Medicare Part A helps cover your inpatient care in hospitals, critical access hospitals, and skilled nursing facilities (not custodial or long-term care). It also helps cover hospice care and some home health care. You must meet certain conditions to get these benefits.

Most people don't pay a monthly premium for MedicarePart A(sometimes called "premium-free Part A"). If you don't qualify for premium-free Part A, you can buy Part A. If you buy Part A, you will pay either $259 or $471 each month in 2021. The standard MedicarePart Bpremium amount is $148.50 (or higher depending on your income) in 2021.You pay $203.00 per year for your Part B deductible in 2021. MedicarePart Drequires a monthly premium, but deductibles vary among Medicare drug plans.

View Medicare costs at a glance.

Generally, Medicare is for people 65 or older. You may be able to get Medicare earlier if you have a disability, End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a transplant), or ALS (also called Lou Gehrig’s disease). Check out Medicare.gov for more information on eligibility.

The Social Security Administration handles Medicare eligibility and enrollment. You can contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 to enroll in Medicare or to ask questions about whether you are eligible.

If you need to report a change of name or address to Medicare, you must tell Social Security, even if you aren’t receiving Social Security benefits. There are three ways you can do this.

There are several federal programs available to provide you and your family with affordable health care coverage. There are also programs specifically available for older Americans, low-income people, children, people with disabilities, people with end-stage renal disease, and pregnant women. These programs include:

• Medicare
• Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage
• Medicaid
• Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
• Health Insurance Marketplace

To report suspected Medicare fraud, call toll free 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477).

Medicaid covers Emergency Ambulance services when provided by providers licensed by the state. The patient must be transported in an appropriate vehicle that has been inspected and issued a permit by the state.

Federal law requires states to cover dental services for people with Medicaid under the age of 21. However, states can choose whether to provide benefits to people with Medicaid who are 21 and older.

In all states, Medicaid gives health coverage to some individuals and families, including children, parents, pregnant women, elderly people with certain incomes, and people with disabilities. In some states, the program also covers other adults below a certain income level.

Medicaid is a health coverage assistance program for children, adults, pregnant women, people with disabilities, and seniors who qualify due to low income or other criteria.