Comparison between Medicare and Medicade and how has Medicare evolved to accommodate the changing needs of society?

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1. Comparison between Medicare and Medicaid and how has Medicare evolved to accommodate the changing needs of society?

Medicaid is a “program, funded by the federal and state governments, which pays for medical care for those who can’t afford it?(1). Medicaid is available only to certain low-income individuals and families who fit into an eligibility group that is recognized by federal and state law. Medicaid does not pay money to you; instead, it sends payments directly to your health care providers (6). Depending on your state’s rules, you may also be asked to pay a small part of the cost (co-payment) for some medical services. (“Medicaid At-A-Glance 2005” at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicaidGenInfo/Downloads/MedicaidAtAGlance2005.pdf). Medicaid is a state administered program and each state sets its own guidelines regarding eligibility and services. Also see Medicaid milestones at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/History/Downloads/MedicaidMilestones.pdf (which is attached for convenience).

On the other hand, Medicare is a “federal program that pays for certain health care expenses for people aged 65 or older. Enrolled individuals must pay deductibles and co-payments, but much of their medical costs are covered by the program. Medicare is less comprehensive than some other health care programs, but it is an important source of post-retirement health care. Medicare is divided into three parts. Part A covers hospital bills, Part B covers doctor bills, and Part C provides the option to choose from a package of health care plans.?(1) It is the largest single payer for health care services, and Medicare’s payment policies affect not only the health and lives of 41 million beneficiaries, but also the shape of the entire health care system. Medicare’s influence extends over everything ?from the way hospitals are constructed, to the way physicians are trained, to the kinds of …