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Wednesday, January 02, 2008

Medicaid and Medicare

Remember the movie “Sicko”. I watched it months ago but still remember how scary it is to fall sick in US. (A similar parallel view towards my home country too). And it gets worst if you do not have insurance. It is unlike its neighbouring country which was giving free medical help and even reimbursing your transport to the hospital.

I remember a particular scene vividly. A man had lost 2 fingers and was asked which finger he wants back because he cannot afford to pay for both fingers back. Is US medic really that bad? I have no idea. A random search leads me to Medicaid and Medicare.

Quoted from the site:
Medicare and Medicaid are different and separate programs. Medicare is a federal health insurance program primarily for older adults. Medicaid is an assistance program for people with low incomes.


Medicare is a plan most Americans will receive automatically at age 65. The basic Medicare coverage most recipients get, often called Original Medicare, consists of Part A hospital insurance and Part B medical insurance. You can learn more about it here.

On the other hand, Medicaid is a government assistance program for anybody regardless of age so long they do not exceed strict limits on income and assets. The benefits vary by state, but at minimum, Medicaid covers the same services as Medicare. In most states, Medicaid covers nursing home costs and provides transportation reimbursements to and from treatment.

If Medicaid really serves the low income people, then I guess this would be good. Too many a times, we live in a world of me only. A helping hand is greatly appreciated when medical charges just keep increasing. Even if you are rich, just by falling ill, you still can spend a huge chuck of money and end up broke as happen to one of the family in the movie.

The objective of this site is to bring awareness to Medicaid which most of them ignored due to the misconception that they do not qualify for it. But never try, never know right?

For more information:
Medicare & Medicaid
Medicaid FAQ

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