Medicare and Medical are two very important programs that help people pay for healthcare, but they are different. Learn the Difference Between Medicare and Medical in detail. Medicare is a federal program mainly for people aged 65 and older, no matter their income or health. It also helps some younger people with disabilities. Medical, also called Medi-Cal in California, is a state program. It helps low-income people and families pay for healthcare.
The bottom line difference is who is allowed access to each program and what they include. Medicare covers older adults, while Medical serves people who cannot afford to pay for healthcare. Both aid in making healthcare easier to receive, but they are conducted differently. More than 63 million people utilize Medicare, and more than 13 million people use Medical in California.
Main Difference Between Medicare and Medical
Medicare is different from medical in who will use it or what it includes. Medicare is a program for people 65 years and older, as well as for some people less than 65 years old with disabilities. It pays for some of the costs of hospital care, doctor visits, and prescription drugs. Medical, or Medi-Cal in California, is available to people of all ages who have low incomes. Medicine pays for many more services than Medicare does, including long-term care, dental care and vision care. Medicare usually calls for premiums, co-pays and deductibles. Medical is often free or very low-cost.
Medicare Vs. Medical
What is Medicare?
Medicare is a federal health insurance plan for people aged 65 and older. Besides that, Medicare also helps those under 65 who have disabilities. It was formed in 1965 for old adults on treatment. Currently, it covers over 63 million Americans.
Medicare consists of four different parts: Part A, Part B, Part C, and Part D. It offers part A which provides coverage of the patients within hospitals. Part B takes care of all services rendered by a doctor, and part C, the Medicare Advantage, is one complete package of a health insurance plan, while Part D will pay for a prescription medication. Most of the patients do not pay for Part A but can be charged for Parts B, C, and D.
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Medicare helps older people get the health care they need but doesn’t pay for all things. There are things for which Medicare would not pay including dental, vision, or long-term care. Many beneficiaries of Medicare must also purchase separate insurance, commonly known as Medigap to help pay the costs that Medicare does not. Medicare is essentially the same all over the nation, but specific services may differ in price compared to other places.
What is Medical?
Medical, often termed Medi-Cal in California, offers health insurance coverage to low-income people. This program supports families and individuals who cannot afford healthcare. It includes visits to the doctor, hospital stays, prescription drugs, and many medical services. The funding is from state and federal governments. In California, 13 million are covered under Medi-Cal. To qualify for Medical, one’s income has to be low enough. Patients who qualify for Medi-Cal pay little or no cost for care.
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Medical covers more than just basic care. It includes long-term care, dental services, and vision care, which Medicare does not. Medi-Cal covers all age groups-children, pregnant women, and older people as well. So if you qualify for Medi-Cal, you may not have to pay at all, or your costs may be very low.
Comparison Table “Medicare Vs. Medical (Medi-Cal)”
| Eligibility | Aged 65+ or under 65 with disability | Low-income individuals, families, and vulnerable groups |
| Coverage | Hospital, outpatient, prescription | Comprehensive care, including dental, vision, and long-term care |
| Cost | Premiums, deductibles, co-pays | Low-cost or free depending on income |
| Administration | Federally managed | State-managed |
| Supplemental Coverage | Medigap available | Not required |
| Eligibility for Disabilities | Yes, if certain conditions exist | Yes, for those with low income or disabilities |
| Dental & Vision | Not typically covered | Covered |
Difference Between Medicare and Medical in Detail
Get to know the Difference Between Medicare Vs. Medical in Detail.
Eligibility Criteria
Medicare is for 65 and above. It covers people under 65 years of age, if they are handicapped or suffering from some illness. Medical is for the poor. No matter what age. You qualify when your income is low.
Covered and benefits
Medicare covers hospital care, doctor visits, outpatient services, and prescription drugs. It excludes dental care, vision care, or long-term care. The services are also more comprehensive, including dental, vision, and long-term care. It covers things that Medicare does not cover, including transportation to medical appointments.
Cost
Medicare is pricey. Most pay for Medicare Part A but can get it free or for little money if one pays extra for insurance. Medical is also usually free or for pennies for those who qualify. It helps people who cannot afford to pay for health care.
Administration
Medicare is a federal program. The government operates it equally to everyone in the United States. Medical is operated in each state. In California, it is called Medi-Cal. The rules and benefits differ from one state to another.
Range of Coverage
Medicare only covers basic health care, but it does not include long-term care, dental, or vision. Medical covers more services compared to Medicare. It includes long-term care and other services not included in Medicare.
Supplemental Coverage
Individuals covered under Medicare need additional insurance which is referred to as Medigap to help finance costs Medicare does not. People under Medical are usually not in need of extra cover because it usually covers most of the things one needs.
Federal vs. State-Based Programs
Medicare is a federal program so the same everywhere in the U.S. Medical is a state program. That is to say that each state can have different rules and coverage although the basic idea is the same.
Key Difference Between Medicare and Medical
Here are the key points showing the Difference Between Medicare Vs. Medical.
- Eligibility Age:
Medicare is for people 65 and older. Medical helps low-income people of all ages. - Income Requirements:
Medicare does not have income limits, but Medical is for low-income people. - Cost:
Medicare can require premiums, co-pays, and deductibles. Medical is usually free or has low costs. - Coverage Scope:
Medicare covers hospital, doctor, and prescription drug services. It does not cover long-term care, dental, or vision. Medical covers these services and more. - Administration:
Medicare is managed by the federal government. Medical is managed by each state. - Program Structure:
Medicare is divided into four parts: A, B, C, and D. Medical is one program with everything included. - Supplemental Coverage:
Medicare users may need Medigap insurance. Medical usually doesn’t need extra insurance. - Long-Term Care:
Medicare doesn’t cover long-term care, but Medical does. - Prescription Drugs:
Medicare has Part D for prescription drugs. Medical covers prescription drugs without needing extra plans. - Eligibility for Disabilities:
Medicare helps people with certain disabilities. Medical also helps people with disabilities who have low incomes. - Medi-Cal vs. Medicaid:
Medi-Cal is California’s version of Medicaid. Other states have different Medicaid programs with their own rules. - Managed Care Plans:
Medical offers managed care plans for extra services. Medicare offers Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans. - Dental & Vision Care:
Medicare does not usually cover dental or vision care. Medical covers these services. - State Flexibility:
Medicare rules are the same everywhere. Medical rules can change depending on where you live. - Enrollment Periods:
Medicare has fixed times for enrollment. You can enrol in Medical at any time, as long as you qualify. - Out-of-Pocket Costs:
Medicare may have higher costs for some services. Medical usually has lower or no costs. - Care for the Elderly:
Medicare mainly helps older adults. Medical helps people of all ages who need help with healthcare.
FAQs: Medicare Vs. Medical
Conclusion:
Both of them are two completely different programs to reduce the costs of health care but for different categories of people. There is a big Difference Between Medicare and Medical. Medicare aims at targeting aged persons and partially disabled persons while Medical targets low-income earning individuals. While Medicare is the federal government, every state has authority over Medical.
Medicare includes coverings such as in-patient care in a hospital, consultations with a physician, and prescriptions. For example, it cannot cover dental and vision care; it also will not cover care for the long term. Medical takes care of everything from dental, vision, or long-term treatment. Knowing about the difference allows people to get the right health insurance for their needs.
References & External Links
- Medical Encyclopedia
- How Medicare Works, Who Qualifies, and How To Enroll
