Medicaid Medicaid helps people with low income pay for medical bills. Medicaid is not the same as Medicare. Both programs provide health coverage, but Medicaid provides health coverage for people of all ages whose incomes are low. To qualify for Medicaid, an individual or couple must meet income and resource guidelines. Income includes money received each month from Social Security, employment, or other sources.
Resources refers to the value of items owned such as cash and savings.
Some resources, such as the home and one car, are not counted in determining Medicaid eligibility. To qualify, individuals must be U.S. citizens, with some exceptions for certain non-citizens. Medicaid pays for basic health services. And it may even pay for some services not covered by Medicare such as medicine, nursing home care, eye exams, glasses, transportation for medical care, and other medical services. To take advantage of these programs contact your state social services department.