Medicaid is for certain individuals and families with low incomes and resources. Eligibility and benefits vary considerably from State to State. Medicare insurance is available for people age 65 or older, younger people with disabilities and people with End Stage Renal Disease. There is also a nationwide network of community-based health care centers that provide primary health care services at low or no cost.

Medicaid is for certain individuals and families with low incomes and resources. Eligibility and benefits vary considerably from State to State. Medicare insurance is available for people age 65 or older, younger people with disabilities and people with End Stage Renal Disease. There is also a nationwide network of community-based health care centers that provide primary health care services at low or no cost.

There are several federal programs available to provide you and your family with affordable health care coverage. There are also programs specifically available for older Americans, low-income people, children, people with disabilities, people with end-stage renal disease, and pregnant women.

Generally, Medicare is for people 65 or older. You may be able to get Medicare earlier if you have a disability, End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a transplant), or ALS (also called Lou Gehrig’s disease).

Generally, we advise people to sign up for Medicare when they’re first eligible to avoid a gap in coverage and/or late enrollment penalties. For most people, Medicare eligibility starts three months before turning 65 and ends three months after turning 65.

Medicare is federal health insurance for anyone age 65 and older, and some people under 65 with certain disabilities or conditions. Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that gives health coverage to some people with limited income and resources.