I want to point out one thing that your post kind of makes confusing. Medicare is for the elderly over age 65. Medicaid is for poor people. We CARE for the elderly and AID the impoverished; just a mnemonic device that helps me remember the difference. (If you're poor and over 65 you can get both medicare and medicaid.) Medicare and Medicaid are not the same thing.

Medicare has several parts. Part A is hospital coverage and that's free. Part B is out patient coverage and the premium for that is $202.90 for people making $109,000 or less. If you want coverage for your medications as an old person, get ready to shell out even more for part C and D coverage.

In theory, medicaid is free, but have you heard of the medicaid sped down? A Medicaid spend-down is a program for individuals with income or assets above state limits to qualify for Medicaid by using excess funds on medical expenses. It acts like a deductible, where you "spend down" your income on bills, prescriptions, or care until you meet the "medically needy" income level, after which Medicaid covers further costs for that period.