For a patient over the age of 65 with only Medicaid and Medicare Part A, which plan applies for outpatient services?

In the context of a patient over the age of 65 who has both Medicaid and Medicare Part A, Medicaid is the primary payer for outpatient services. Medicare Part A primarily covers inpatient services, such as hospital stays and skilled nursing facility care, rather than outpatient services.

Thus, when it comes to outpatient care, it is Medicaid that plays a significant role, as it can cover services such as doctor visits, outpatient therapy, and various health-related services that are not part of inpatient care. Therefore, the patient would use Medicaid to help with costs associated with outpatient services, as it is specifically designed to assist with these types of care and often provides a wider range of coverage in outpatient settings compared to Medicare Part A.

While it is essential to consider the interaction between these two programs, in this case, the correct application for outpatient services is through Medicaid.