Medicare and Medicaid in Iowa. What's the difference?

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It is not unusual to hear people use the wrong term when referring to obtaining government assistance for health care expenses. Medicare and Medicaid are two separate and distinct programs administered and financed by the government for covering health care expenses. Eligibility for "Medicare" is based simply on age or disability. "Medicaid", on the other hand, has eligibility based upon financial requirements. In other words, a millionaire could qualify for a Medicare, but not Medicaid. Hyman Darling has another good post explaining the difference between the programs.

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