Qualifications for Medicare & Medicaid

Both Medicare and Medicaid are government sponsored healthcare services; however, the similarities end there. Medicare is a part of Social Security paid by working individuals through payroll deduction. Anyone who is employed and pays into the system qualifies for Medicare when they reach retirement age.

Medicaid is healthcare for some low income individuals and families who meet certain guidelines determined by federal and state administrators. The program is operated by the states and each state sets its own guidelines.

Medicare Employment Credit Qualifications

• Eligibility to receive Social Security retirement benefits depends on the credits you earn through employment. The number of credits you must have depends on your date of birth. Anyone born after 1929 needs 40 credits. Four work credits are earned each year. Ten years of employment meet the work credit qualifications for retirement.

Medicare Retirement Age Qualifications

• Anyone 65 years or older, anyone under 65 with certain disabilities, and anyone with End Stage Renal Disease (kidney failure requiring dialysis) is eligible for Medicare.

Medicaid Income Qualifications

• Medicaid determines eligibility by income requirements set out by your state. An examination of the amount of cash that comes into the household, the amount of money in your bank account, and any property or other assets you own will go into determining eligibility for the program. The income limits vary by state and among groups.

Medicaid Citizenship Qualifications

• Citizenship also figures into Medicaid eligibility. U.S. citizens, lawfully admitted immigrants (a 5-year limitation applies to lawfully admitted permanent immigrants), and children who are U.S. citizens, but whose parents are not may be eligible for Medicaid benefits.

Age Qualification

• In some cases, age may enter into the determining factors for eligibility, but no hard rule is stipulated for age requirement.