Medicare & Senior InsuranceQuestion 345 of 716

Which statement correctly distinguishes Medicare from Medicaid?

a.Medicare is a needs-based program for low-income individuals funded entirely by the states, while Medicaid is an age-based federal program open to everyone who reaches age 65 regardless of need
b.Both are strictly age-based programs with no income requirement, and both are administered directly by the Social Security Administration for anyone who has reached age 65
c.Medicare is a federal health program primarily for people age 65 and older, while Medicaid is a needs-based program for low-income individuals funded jointly by federal and state governments
d.Medicare covers only prescription drugs bought at retail pharmacies, while Medicaid covers only inpatient hospital stays and pays nothing toward long-term care

Explanation

Medicare is a federal program that primarily covers people age 65 and older (and certain younger people with disabilities or end-stage renal disease), regardless of income. Medicaid is a joint federal-state program that provides coverage based on financial need (low income and limited assets). Calling Medicare needs-based and state-funded while calling Medicaid age-based reverses the two programs. Neither is purely age-based without regard to income (Medicaid is means-tested), and neither is run by the Social Security Administration; the drug-only and hospital-only descriptions misstate both programs, since Medicare has multiple parts (A, B, C, D) covering hospital, medical, and drug benefits.

This topic, taught in full in the California Life & Health Insurance Producer Exam guide. California Life & Health Insurance Producer Exam — Complete Study Guide (2026) — PDF + EPUB, $19.99 · 14-day refund →

Practice all 716 questions free — no signup required.

Own the complete California Life & Health Insurance Producer Exam guide — PDF + EPUB, $19.99 →

Related questions on this topic

Last reviewed: · editorial process

PrepPass team · Verified against California Life & Health Insurance License Exam · How we review
Reviewed by John Zihao Zhang — California-Licensed Life Insurance Agent (CA Dept. of Insurance License #4396095 — verify)
Report