What is the difference between Medicare and Medicaid?

Medicare and Medicaid are both government-funded insurance programs that provide health care for people who meet certain criteria. The primary difference between the two is who is eligible to receive benefits. Medicare is primarily for people over the age of 65, while Medicaid is for people with low incomes or those with certain medical conditions that would otherwise make health care unaffordable. Medicare is health insurance provided by the federal government that helps pay for medical care in the United States. It covers hospital, doctor, and laboratory services, and some preventive services. Medicare is funded through payroll taxes, which mean those who are employed and their employers both pay into the program. Meanwhile, Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that provides health care to individuals and families with limited incomes and resources. The program is funded by the federal government, but is administered by the states. Each state sets its own guidelines for who is eligible and what services are covered. In Pennsylvania, both Medicare and Medicaid are available. Those eligible for Medicare and Medicaid may receive benefits from both programs. However, the programs are not interchangeable and benefits received from one program may not be applied to the other.

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