Compare health plans

People on Social Security paid into Medicare (10-year minimum to qualify) from each paycheck. The average Social Security check is about $1,360 per month. Taken out of that is $110 for Medicare Part B, plus money for a drug plan. Medicare Part B has a $166 deductible and will only pay the approved amount; you may be billed for the balance. Medicare Part A has an 80 percent/20 percent split; you pay 20 percent. There is also federal income tax on part of your Social Security.

You qualify for Medicaid if your income is below 138 percent of the federal poverty level ($12,060 or $1,386 per month). You get medical coverage with no deductible, zero split, no payment above approved cost, plus drug coverage at zero cost. Cost-sharing, if any, is so low it might as well be zero. Welfare payments are also not taxable income.

How do they compare? With Medicare you pay a payroll tax, Medicaid no payroll tax. Medicare Part B you pay $110 per month, Medicaid you pay nothing. Medicare Part A has an 80 percent/20 percent split, Medicaid pays 100 percent (there is no split). Medicare Part B has a deductible and approved amount, Medicaid there is no deductible or payment for being over an approved amount. Medicare you pay for a drug coverage, Medicaid you pay nothing for drug coverage. Part of Social Security payments are taxable income, welfare is not taxable income.

Which one looks like the best deal: one you pay for, or one you get for free? No one talks about the people on Social Security/Medicare since they have it made, living high on that hog, correct? KEN SPARROW Conway