Medicaid coverage is not to be confused with Medicare coverage (although some persons may qualify for both). Both federal and state governments finance Medicaid programs, which are expressly created to serve the needs of low income or “medicallyneedy” individuals. Eligibility requirements differ among states. However, in addition to financial need, recipients must generally be under the age of 21 or over the age of 65 or blind or disabled. Some states expand criteria to include certain needy children with other profiles or other “categorically needy” persons. Eligibility criteria consider both income and assets (all states exempt a person’s house from consideration). Medicaid benefits are paid directly to participating service providers.