General Information FAQs

Medicaid is a health insurance program that pays medical bills for eligible low-income families including pregnant women and women with breast or cervical cancer, foster and adoptive children and for eligible aged, blind and/or those who have disabilities whose income is insufficient to meet the cost of necessary medical services. Medicaid is administered by the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) and pays medical bills with state and federal tax money.

Medicare is an insurance program that pays medical bills for people who are over 65 years old or who have disabilities. It is available to people who receive Social Security benefits regardless of how much money they have. It is operated by the federal government and is paid for with money from the Social Security Trust Fund, which most people pay into while they work. Retired people and those with disabilities pay a monthly insurance premium for Medicare Part B. This is usually taken out of their Social Security check before they receive the check. You can find out more about Medicare at their website www.medicare.gov or contact them at 800-633-4227. You may also contact GeorgiaCares at 800-669-8387 for assistance with Medicare questions.

It depends. If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) from the Social Security Administration, you are automatically eligible for Medicaid and often receive Medicare as well. If you receive both Medicaid and Medicare, Medicaid will pay your Medicare premium, co-payments and deductibles. If you have both Medicare and Medicaid, you should show both cards to your medical care provider each time you receive services.