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Differences Between Medicare & Medicaid

There is often confusion about Medicare and Medicaid.

How do you qualify? What does each cover?

Medicare is an insurance program that is supported by Social Security deductions when you worked. You can receive Medicare once you are retired or disabled. Your application is processed by the Social Security Administration. There are four parts to Medicare:
  • Part A covers hospitalization.
  • Part B covers doctors' visits, lab work, and visits to the emergency room. It is like regular insurance.
  • Part C is privately purchased supplemental insurance to cover more than Part A and Part B usually cover.
  • Part D covers prescription drugs.
Medicaid is based on financial need. Federal, state, and local taxes fund the Medicaid program. There are no age requirements. There are low or no co-payments since it is for low-income individuals. There are specific income and asset limits by state. It is run by the state with federal guidelines. Priority is given to pregnant women, families, children, the disabled and elderly.

Listen in as Marianne Eterno, President of Government Relations for GTL, discusses the differences between Medicare and Medicaid.
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Differences Between Medicare & Medicaid
Featured Speaker:
Marianne Eterno, President of Government Relations for GTL
Marianne Eterno Marianne Eterno began her insurance career in 1987 at the former Golden Rule Insurance Company in Indianapolis, Indiana, and moved to Chicago in 1992, when she accepted a position with Celtic Insurance Company.

Marianne came to Guarantee Trust Life Insurance Company (GTL) in 1996, as a compliance and government relations consultant, and formally joined the company in 1997. As Assistant Vice President of Government Relations, she represents GTL in both the state and federal arenas, drives coalition development for the company, and serves as the company's media and public relations spokesperson.

In addition to sitting on committees for every major insurance trade association, Marianne serves on the Board of Directors of RetireSafe, a 400,000 member grassroots advocacy organization for senior citizens and as the Executive Director for the Council for Affordable Health Insurance.