Patients pay part of costs through deductibles for hospital and other costs. Small monthly premiums are required for non-hospital coverage. Medicare is a federally run program. Medical bills are paid from federal, state and local tax funds. It serves low-income people of every age.
Patients usually pay no part of costs for covered medical expenses.
A small co-payment is sometimes required. Medicaid is a federal-state program. It varies from state to state and is run by state and local governments within federal guidelines. Medicare does not pay for custodial care when this is the only kind of care required. Custodial care is primarily for the purpose of helping with daily living or meeting personal needs such as walking, dressing, eating, etc.