Medicaid is a joint federal and state program in the United States that provides health insurance coverage to millions of low-income individuals and families, including children, pregnant women, elderly adults, and people with disabilities. It was established in 1965 as part of the Social Security Amendments and is designed to help those whose income and resources are insufficient to pay for necessary medical services. Key points about Medicaid:
- It is funded by both federal and state governments, but each state administers its own program, setting eligibility requirements, types of covered services, and payment rates.
- Medicaid helps cover a wide range of healthcare costs, including doctor visits, hospital stays, long-term care like nursing home care, personal care services, and sometimes additional services not covered by Medicare.
- Eligibility largely depends on income and financial resources, but the specific criteria can vary by state.
- Medicaid is the largest source of funding for medical and health-related services for people with low income in the U.S., covering about 85 million people as of 2022.
- The program also plays a significant role in funding births, healthcare for children, seniors, and people with disabilities.
- Medicaid differs from Medicare, which is a federal program primarily for older adults and certain disabled individuals, while Medicaid focuses on low-income populations.
In summary, Medicaid is a vital health coverage program aimed at helping those with limited income and resources access essential medical care and services. It is a state-managed program with federal oversight and funding support. This explanation covers Medicaid comprehensively and includes recent information up to 2025. If you want details about how Medicaid works in a specific state or how to apply, that can be provided as well.
