One of the most common questions families have is understanding the difference between Medicare and Medicaid. They sound similar, but they work very differently, and the distinction matters most when long-term care is needed.
Medicare is federal health insurance. Most people become eligible at age 65, regardless of income. It covers hospital stays, doctor visits and typically covers up to 100 days of short-term rehabilitative care in a skilled facility after a qualifying hospital stay. Medicare does not cover long-term custodial care, the kind of ongoing daily care many seniors eventually need.
Medicaid, on the other hand, is a needs-based program funded by both the federal government and the state. Medicaid provides health coverage for eligible individuals. Eligibility for Medicaid depends on several factors including an individual's income and assets. In Florida, Medicaid can help cover the cost of long-term care in a nursing home, an assisted living facility or at home.
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