Medicaid vs Medicare
Medicaid
Joint federal-state health insurance program for low-income individuals, covering 93 million Americans
Low-income individuals, families, pregnant women, children, and people needing long-term care
VS
M
Medicare
Federal health insurance program for Americans 65+, covering 66 million beneficiaries
Americans 65+, people with ESRD or ALS, and certain disabled individuals under 65
Short Answer
Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people 65+ and certain younger individuals with disabilities, funded through payroll taxes. Medicaid is a joint federal-state program for low-income individuals and families, with eligibility and benefits varying by state.
Our Verdict
Medicare is age-based (65+) and federally standardized. Medicaid is income-based and state-administered. Some people qualify for both ('dual eligibles'). Medicare covers more seniors; Medicaid covers more total enrollees including children and low-income adults.
Medicaid8.3
6.7Medicare
Choose Medicaid if
Low-income individuals, families, pregnant women, children, and people needing long-term care
Key Differences at a Glance
🔹
Eligibility: Income-based vs Age-based (65+)
🔹
Premiums: Medicaid wins (Little to none vs $174.70+/month (Part B))
🔹
Long-term Care: Medicaid wins (Covered vs Not covered)
Key Facts & Figures
| Metric | Medicaid | Medicare | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enrollees | 93 million | 66 million | +41% |
| Annual Federal Spending(USD) | $616 billion | $944 billion | -35% |
All figures sourced from publicly available data. Last updated May 2026.
Key Differences
Medicaid
Attribute
Medicare
Income-based
Eligibility
Age-based (65+)
Little to none🏆
Premiums
$174.70+/month (Part B)
Covered🏆
Long-term Care
Not covered
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Last updated: March 15, 2026Human reviewed
