Go research how things work. Clearly --to echo your sentiment-- you do not understand how these programs are interrelated.
-Medicare does not kick in until 65+
-While you are on Medicaid you accumulate debt after age 55
-Medicare has an expenditure limit, after which you are kicked back into Medicaid, which is, effectively, after 55, a debt you have to pay and the State has the ability to place liens on your estate and grab your property for payment. In fact, they are required to do so by law.
As I said in another comment one of my friends is dealing with exactly this scenario right now. In fact, I just spoke to him a few minutes ago and learned his father died this morning.
While he was on both Medicaid and Medicare (due to the aforementioned ping-pong effect) he now owes the government a pile of cash, hundreds of thousands. My friend has power of attorney over the estate and will be traveling back to his home town to sell the assets and pay the government.
Again, like I said in my other comment, I am not saying these things because they occurred to me. This is reality in the US today: The crap they are trying to sell us will, in fact, turn into the largest private property grab by any government in the history of the world.
In my friend's case the Medicare lifetime limit was $120K. His father burned through that very quickly --probably in a single hospital stay. He was then kicked back into Medicaid, where he already owed money (from 55 to 65). All of his care after the $120K Medicare limit then became a debt the government is required, by law, to collect. And they intend to do so. This will cause the sale of his father's estate for payment. He is dealing with this nasty reality right now.
These things are NOT insurance. That's the greatest lie people are being told.
EDIT:
In Q&A form...
How do you get to Medicare?
Through Medicaid.
Is Medicaid insurance?
No.
Is it free?
After 55 years of age you owe the government for your medical care. It's a loan.
Are they required to collect on that debt?
Yes, by law. Some states are a little more lenient, but the law says they have to collect.
How do they collect?
They seize your estate, your assets, they can force a sale of assets, etc.
Are the children affected. In come cases the debt has affected the children (I don't remember details).
Is MediCARE insurance?
No.
Is is free?
No, you paid for it while working.
Does it cover everything?
No, there's a limit based on your contribution. In the case of my friend's father this limit was $120K, which is nothing in terms of US medical care.
For context, he was 95 at the time of death. His $120K of Medicare allowance was burned through three decades ago. He ended-up back in Medicaid very, very quickly decades ago. And the bills are massive.
What happens when you use-up this money?
You are kicked back into Medicaid.
What happens then?
You add to the debt you accumulated between 55 and 65.
Do you still have to pay for it.
Damn right!
How?
See above.