Medicare vs. Medicaid: What You Need to Know for Your NP Board Exam

Medicare vs Medicaid is one of those tricky subjects that’s likely to show up on your NP boards. And that’s true regardless of whether you’re taking the AANP or the ANCC exam! This won’t just come in handy on exam day, but beyond, once you’re out there seeing patients and have to deal with billing hurdles.

So, what are you expected to know about Medicare vs Medicaid for your boards? One of our experts, Brittney Olson, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, has made a great video on the difference between the two systems. She reviews what you need to know, so the nonclinical portion of your exam doesn’t give you any trouble:

Here’s a bit of what Brittney covers in the video. 

Medicare

Brittney talks about how a number of things distinguish Medicare from Medicaid. One of them is the people Medicare is intended to help. She uses a mnemonic, “We (Medi)CARE for older adults and patients with certain disabilities,” to help you remember that older adults (65+) and people with certain conditions are those typically on Medicare.

She also notes what makes Medicare unique when it comes to its funding and organization. For example, she talks about how Medicare is a federally funded program, and explains what’s covered under parts A, B, C, and D. Definitely check out this part of the video, because there’s a lot in there that could show up on your boards!

Finally, Brittney warps up the part on Medicare by explaining how NPs get paid through the program. She explains the difference between the Budget Reconciliation Act (BRA) and the Balanced Budget Act (BBA). There’s a lot of great stuff in this part of the video about billing and how you go about it. 

Medicaid

Medicaid is, of course, a different sort of thing from Medicare. To help you remember the difference between Medicaid vs Medicare, Brittney uses another mnemonic. This time, we (Medic)AID people with low income, as the program is set up for people who are in need of financial assistance.

She also notes that while Medicare is a federal program, Medicaid is funded at the federal and state level. Examples of programs funded under Medicaid include the Women’s Infant and Children (WIC) program and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Again, be sure to check out this part of the video. There’s lots here that’s prime NP board material!

To wrap up the discussion of Medicare vs Medicaid, Brittney gives you a great summary of the key differences between the two programs. Use it as a quick reference guide when you need to!

Medicare vs Medicaid: NP Practice Questions

The video ends with some practice questions to test your understanding of Medicare vs Medicaid. Brittany walks you through the questions and explains the answers. It’s great prep for your boards, so be sure to take advantage of it! 

So, there’s a summary of what’s in the video. But it barely scratches the surface! Be sure to check it out so you’re ready for the nonclinical portion of your NP board exam. And don’t forget to subscribe to the SMNP YouTube channel where you’ll find lots of great tips on how to get through NP school, crush your boards, and kickstart your NP career!

Gearing up for NP board prep soon? We’ve got you covered! Check out our Live Study Group built to manage your test anxiety and help you ace your exam (with a 99+% pass rate)! 💜