As your senior loved one ages, it’s likely he or she will have some medical expenses. If your loved one needs financial assistance to pay medical bills, public health insurance programs can help. As Medicare and Medicaid, two public health insurance programs in the United States, can help your loved one afford a variety of medical services, understanding their different eligibility requirements and benefits is important. To help families learn about these two programs, here are some of the basic facts about each one.
What Is Medicare?
Medicare is a federal health insurance program that helps seniors pay for medical care if they’re age 65 and over, and it also helps younger people who have disabilities.
Seniors can face a variety of challenges as they age, many of which can be mitigated with the help of professional in-home caregivers who provide high-quality Home Care. Naples families trust Assisting Hands Home Care to help their elderly loved ones age in place safely and comfortably.
What Does Medicare Cover?
Medicare consists of four parts, each of which covers different health services. Part A covers hospital insurance, Part B covers outpatient medical care, and Part D covers prescriptions. Unlike the other three parts, Part C is a health insurance plan offered by a private third-party insurance company that combines the coverage offered by parts A and B. While these insurance options are fairly comprehensive, some services also require paying a premium and/or copay.
Choosing the right Medicare plan isn’t the only age-related issue seniors may have to face. Living alone at home in the golden years can present a few unique challenges. Trust home care service professionals to help your senior loved one maintain a higher quality of life while he or she lives with an illness and performs the daily tasks of living.
What Is Medicaid?
Medicaid is another social insurance program that helps people with low incomes pay for medical care, including senior citizens. Unlike the federally managed eligibility standards for Medicare, eligibility for Medicaid varies widely from state to state.
What Does Medicaid Cover?
Depending on your loved one’s state and eligibility, Medicaid can cover many medical services. Most of the time, Medicaid coverage includes hospital and outpatient visits as well as long-term care options like in-home care, an option Medicare doesn’t usually cover. Seniors can have both Medicare and Medicaid if they meet the eligibility guidelines for both, in which case Medicaid is considered secondary insurance.
Regular medical attention is important for older adults, but doctors aren’t the only people who can help seniors remain healthy. Some seniors only require help with a few daily tasks so they can maintain their independence. However, those living with serious illnesses may need more extensive assistance. Luckily, there is professional live-in care Naples, FL, seniors can rely on. Home can be a safer and more comfortable place for your loved one to live with the help of an expertly trained and dedicated live-in caregiver. If you need professional care for your loved one, Assisting Hands Home Care is just a phone call away. Reach out to one of our Care Managers today.
