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1. Jiggers
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   Ok..I'm baffeled between these two types of health insurance's. Someone tell me what's the difference with them in your own words and do they work for retired people etc..etc..Do they also include dental coverage? It's time I understand, but of course, I'm not retired or 65 obviously. Since health care is making front headline news everyday I'm curious. Also, I think if the government doesn't get this right, I think you'll see hundreds and hundreds of thousands- including old folks protesting big time.

   Posted 2 years ago #         

2. wundrgrrrl
   Member Profile

   

   Here's my take <minus alot of details, I'm sure!>:

   Medicare is what's taken out of your paycheck by the govt each month over the span of your entire life! You become eligible at 65 when you retire (or when you end up on permanent disability). It is supplementary to your primary insurance if you have any.

   Medicaid is for people who cannot afford insurance. You have to be below a certain income level to get it (including assets). However, it does cover alot more than Medicare does.

   Both are federal government programs. If you're over 65, you could have both. I'm not sure whether either of them covers dental. My mom is on Medicare and always complains about dental costs, so my guess is "not"!

   My dad is on Medicaid, and there are loads of hoops you have to go through to prove you're eligible. But then again, I suppose if you didn't it could easily be abused.

   Posted 2 years ago #         

3. lizru
   Member Profile

   One more note on the Medicaid program is that it is a federal/state partnership in terms of funding.

   Posted 2 years ago #         

4. CarolPB
   Member Profile

   

   No dental coverage on either.

   Posted 2 years ago #         

5. CrystalizedGinger
   Member Profile

   

   In my work as a children's therapist for a non-profit serving the poorest of the poor, we loved medicaid because it meant that as long as the child had a medical coupon (medicaid), then the child could have basically unlimited mental health services (hours with me). No greater investment at that age if you ask me.
   And Medicaid in Washington does offer dental- you just have to find a dentist who is willing to take medicaid clients, because they would make much more money off non-medicaid clients, because the State/Federal guidelines limit the reimbursement rate.
   Medicare: I just checked my Dec. 2008 Social Security Report..."Full Retirement Benefit" doesn't come to me until I am 67...bummer.

   Posted 2 years ago #         

6. CarolPB
   Member Profile

   

   sorry for the confusion on my part-state medical coupons does cover dental-very low reimbursement-so not many dentist accept this as payment. Also limited procedures are covered for adults. Not sure if this is called medicare or medicaid.

   Posted 2 years ago #         

7. JanS
   Member Profile

   

   DSHS has a long list of dentists who "take Medicaid". When you start calling, you find out that most, if not all, have dropped it because it doesn't pay enough. There are one or two in this area who technically take it, but their "lists are full".

   The Medicaid that pays usually has a CNP in the lower right hand corner of the insurance coupon you get from them every month. At the moment I get this kind of Medicaid since I was diagnosed with breast cancer in a state program called WABCHP - Breast and Cervical Health Program. It's a program for women with no or low income to get a mammogram and annual pap test. At the time I was not working. Medicaid automatically pays then, if cancer is found in that program. I consider myself extremely lucky to be able to get it, and it continues until I am no longer in treatment. I take meds every day for cancer prevention right now, and will for at least another year. If you are low/no income, and female, consider asking your doc about this program. You don't have to skip these tests just because you can't afford it..the program WABCHP program and mammo is free.The bad part about it? I had to get cancer in order to get insurance :(

   The dental bennies for children are much more lenient than for adults. There are quite a few public health dental clinics in the area, and there is the low cost student dental clinic at UW...they take Medicaid coupons, too.

   Medicare is for retirees after 65/66/67 basically.

   Posted 2 years ago #         

8. JanS
   Member Profile

   

   Jiggers...is it the dental bennies that you're looking for specifically? If you don't have dental insurance it's pricey, huh. Even pricey WITH insurance at times. I might have a solution for you..e-mail me if you want to know...just click on my name , go to website, contact me from there.

   Posted 2 years ago #         

9. Ken
   Member Profile

   

   http://www.psnhc.org/index.php?page=Clinic_Detail&clinicID=12

   High Point Dental Clinic provides dental services for children age 19 and younger. We accept a limited number of adult patients upon referral. We provide preventive and general dental care including X-rays, exams, and fillings. Crowns, root canals, oral surgery, and dentures are all available on a limited basis.

   This is an income based sliding scale provider. There are others in the city that are not as specialized, look on the page for where.

   Posted 2 years ago #         

10. KatherineL
    Member Profile

    Jiggers, the state has a help line to answer questions about Medicare. 1-800-562-6900 They transfer you to answer line for your county, you leave a name and number, and somebody calls back within the next three days.

    Posted 2 years ago #         

11. JanS
    Member Profile

    

    KatherineL..is that # for DSHS/ Medicaid? or for Medicare, a federal program?

    Posted 2 years ago #         

12. KatherineL
    Member Profile

    This is the federal Medicare. But they should be able to tell him succinctly what the difference is between that and Medicaid.

    Posted 2 years ago #         

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