| The terms Medicare and Medicaid might be confusing | | | | receive either free or very low cost medical care. |
| to most people, including those who receive help from | | | | These additional benefits were added to Medicare, but |
| them. While both help low income individuals and | | | | might be called something different in your home state. |
| families with health care they serve different needs. | | | | Even if your income is on the high side of the scale, |
| Medicaid was created to meet the health care needs | | | | the small premium payment you might be required to |
| associated with pregnancies and children of low | | | | pay, makes this health care still very affordable. |
| income families that need assistance. The terms | | | | Until you know, you don't know and the best way to |
| Medicare and Medicaid might be confusing to most | | | | find out if and what you qualify for, is to first apply for |
| people, including those who receive help from them. | | | | Medicaid. If you income disqualifies you from Medicaid |
| While both help low income individuals and families with | | | | benefits, they will send you application on to another |
| health care they serve different needs. Medicaid was | | | | office that you might be eligible for, even with a higher |
| created to meet the health care needs associated | | | | income. While the benefits of Medicaid are excellent, |
| with pregnancies and children of low income families | | | | with no out of pocket up front expense, it is not |
| that need assistance. Medicare however was created | | | | without problems. It is not always easy to find health |
| to help meet the health care needs of the disabled and | | | | care providers to treat new Medicaid patients. Should |
| elderly, but is not associated with income. | | | | you ever have a problem with finding a provider you |
| Of the two, Medicaid has the strictest guidelines and | | | | should contact the Medicaid office with all the details. |
| does not allow benefits to be extended to those | | | | Medicaid is a real benefit for pregnancy conditions. |
| beyond the definitions of poverty. This coverage | | | | Medicaid, unlike other health insurance companies, do |
| serves pregnant women as well as follow up care | | | | not consider pregnancy a pre-existing condition. If you |
| and children within the age limits. Medicaid does not | | | | have no insurance and are pregnant, Medicaid will |
| extend coverage to any other family members | | | | make available quality health care coverage at no |
| regardless of health issues or financial status. This plan | | | | cost, regardless of you circumstances. Taking the first |
| only covers those who fall within the expressed | | | | step is as easy and simply as filling out the proper |
| guidelines. | | | | application forms after you contact a Medicaid office. |
| Low and middle income families that have children, can | | | | There is almost always help for any pregnant woman. |