There are many government programs that provide healthcare to the economically challenged. The two most common forms of government healthcare programs are Medicare and Medicaid. However, many states have their own welfare programs that help families that are in need of healthcare services. Over the years the healthcare industry has seen drastic changes because of the Medicare and Medicaid. Medicaid and Medicare are very important facets of the American healthcare delivery system. The Medicare and Medicaid’s systems are designed to help people in need of medical care who otherwise would not be able to afford or access healthcare. Many people often confuse Medicare and Medicaid because they think it the same program. Medicare was created on July 30, 1965 through Title XIX of the Social Security Act.
Medicare is a federal government sponsored program that offers health insurance to individuals who are 65 years or older or individuals under 65 with disability, irrespective of the person’s income. Medicare is funded partly by income tax dollars collected by the US Government. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is the federal agency that oversees Medicare. Medicare is a program that is serviced through Social Security. Medicaid, on the other hand, is run by the state governments but the Federal government also provides funds close to half of the total expenses. Medicare is run by the Federal government which covers individuals above a certain age and consists of two parts: Part A – for hospital care financed by a payroll tax; Part B – covers physician services and financed by both federal taxes as well as individual paid premiums. Later the government also enacted a third part, Part C, covering prescription drug program. Medicare is one of the largest purchasers of healthcare services in the United States. The coverage and reimbursement decisions made by the Medicare program affect the ways providers operate and have a direct and profound impact on the health care service industry as a whole. Often Medicare coverage and reimbursement decisions are adopted by the private sector.
Medicaid is a state run program that provides services to many different indigent groups that range from women and children to the elderly. Families and children and pregnant women are also eligible for services. In some states, the Medicaid program covers all low income adults below a certain income level. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), a component of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), administers Medicare. Medicaid helps covers visits to the doctors, dentists, and hospitals. Also covers medicines ordered by doctors and dentists. Coverage is through Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
Many people are not aware that Medicaid receipts are also eligible for free Medical Transportation. The Texas MedicaidMedical Transportation Program sets up non-emergency rides for people who have no other way to get to their Medicaid health-care visits. This includes people with Medicaid, children who get services through the Children with Special Health Care Needs program, and people in the Transportation of Indigent Cancer Patients program. The program does not set up rides in an ambulance, even for non-emergency purposes, but the program can pay back (reimburse) someone who uses their personal car to drive a Medicaid member to and from their Medicaid-related health visit.
