How is the Affordable Care Act different from Medicaid?
Asked by: Cody D'Amore | Last update: June 29, 2025Score: 4.9/5 (16 votes)
What is the difference between Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act?
Medicaid is designed to offer either free, or low cost health care coverage to those in need. While the ACA is done through the federal government, Medicaid is handled by the state, meaning the laws and regulations depend on your location.
What is the difference between Medicare and Affordable Care Act?
Marketplace plans were created by the Affordable Care Act. These plans are private insurance plans that are designed to match certain needs and budgets. Medicare is a health program offered by the government to older adults and people with certain disabilities. You cannot have both Obamacare and Medicare.
What changes did the Affordable Care Act bring to Medicare and Medicaid?
Medicaid Expansion: The ACA originally expanded Medicaid to all non-Medicare eligible individuals under age 65 with incomes up to 138% of the poverty level.
How did the Affordable Care Act alter Medicaid?
The ACA also made a number of other significant Medicaid changes, such as preventing states from reducing children's Medicaid eligibility until FY 2019; setting a uniform standard for children's eligibility at 138 percent FPL; streamlining eligibility, enrollment, and renewal processes; and updating payments to safety- ...
The Consequences of the Affordable Care Act Medicaid Expansions
Can I have Medicaid and Obamacare at the same time?
Keeping both Marketplace and Medicaid and CHIP
If you have qualifying health coverage through Medicaid or CHIP coverage, you'll pay full price for your Marketplace plan premium and covered services.
What does the Affordable Care Act do?
Under the Affordable Care Act, patients who may have been uninsured due to preexisting conditions or limited finances can secure affordable health plans through the health insurance marketplace in their state.
What are the disadvantages of the Affordable Care Act?
It was also known that consumers would face a very different health insurance world under the ACA, with some people seeing their premiums go down and some seeing them go up, and the majority of Americans seeing higher deductibles, higher copays, and a smaller pool of providers.
What are the key differences between Medicare and Medicaid?
Medicare is a federal program that provides health coverage if you are 65+ or under 65 and have a disability, no matter your income. Medicaid is a state and federal program that provides health coverage if you have a very low income.
Who is not eligible for Obamacare?
Must live in the United States. Must be a U.S. citizen or national (or be lawfully present). Learn about eligible immigration statuses. Cannot be incarcerated in prison or jail.
Which is better, Medicaid or marketplace?
A Marketplace health plan would cost more than Medicaid and usually wouldn't offer more coverage or benefits. If you qualify for Medicaid, you aren't eligible for savings on a Marketplace plan. You'd have to pay full price for a plan.
Can you have Affordable Care Act and Medicare at the same time?
While you don't have to drop your ACA health insurance to enroll in Medicare, most people do. For those who qualify for premium-free Medicare Part A, your marketplace insurance premium subsidies end after you're eligible for Part A at age 65.
Does the Affordable Care Act cover everyone?
You'll find the following protections for patients in the ACA California: Everyone in California has access to health insurance. Pre-existing health conditions cannot deny anyone health coverage or extra charges. Children can be listed on their parent's health plan until they are 26 years of age.
What does Medicaid not cover?
Though Medicaid covers a wide range of services, there are limitations on certain types of care, such as infertility treatments, elective abortions, and some types of alternative medicine. For example, the federal government lists family planning as a mandatory service benefit, but states interpret this differently.
What happens if you make too much money while on Medicaid?
If you're over the Medicaid income limit, some states let you spend down extra income or place it in a trust to help you qualify for Medicaid. If you receive long-term care but your spouse doesn't, Medicaid will allow your spouse to keep enough income to avoid living in poverty.
How can I avoid paying back my premium tax credit?
Report any changes in your income during the year to the Marketplace, so your credit can be adjusted and you can avoid any significant repayments at the end of the year.
What's the difference between Medicaid and Obamacare?
On a general basis, Obamacare, or the Affordable Care Act, aims to provide affordable health coverage to all Americans. On the other hand, Medicaid provides coverage for those in need that cannot afford coverage otherwise. Read on for more details about the two government-funded programs.
Does everyone have to pay $170 a month for Medicare?
Most people pay no premiums for Part A. For Medicare Part B in 2025, most beneficiaries will pay $185 per month. Certain factors may require you to pay more or less than the standard Medicare Part B premium in 2025.
Will I lose my Medicaid if I get Medicare?
People who have both Medicare and full Medicaid coverage are “dually eligible.” Medicare pays first when you're a dual eligible and you get Medicare-covered services. Medicaid pays last, after Medicare and any other health insurance you have.
Why are people against Affordable Care Act?
Despite these positive changes, a near majority of Americans still oppose the ACA, even though they approve of most of its features. They oppose the mandate that all Americans must have health insurance (the individual mandate), and they oppose a government role in health care.
Who does not benefit from the Affordable Care Act?
Individuals with incomes exceeding 400 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL; $46,680 for an individual, $95,400 for a family of four) are ineligible for either Medicaid or Marketplace tax credits. This group represents 16 percent of the ineligible, uninsured population. 2.
Who is eligible for ACA benefits?
To be eligible to enroll in health coverage through the Marketplace, you must: Live in the United States (U.S). Be a U.S. citizen or national, or be lawfully present non-citizen in the U.S. Learn about eligible immigration statuses. Not be incarcerated.
What are the pros and cons of the Affordable Care Act?
The pros of the ACA include prohibiting insurance companies from denying coverage based on health history and providing subsidies to reduce premiums and out-of-pocket costs. The cons of the ACA include small business challenges and limited provider options in some regions.
How is Medicare different from Medicaid?
What's the difference between Medicare and Medicaid? 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.