If i have medicare can i get medicaid

A lot of people with Medicare wonder: Can I also qualify for Medicaid? The answer is yes — many people are “dually eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, depending on their income, assets, and state rules.

Quick Definition

If you meet low-income and resource limits, you may qualify for Medicaid in addition to Medicare, which can help cover extra costs like premiums, deductibles, and long-term services.

How Dual Eligibility Works

• People who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid are known as dual eligible.

• Medicare typically pays first when you receive medical services; Medicaid helps cover the costs Medicare does not fully pay — like copays, coinsurance, or Medicare premiums.

• There are different levels of assistance: some get full-benefit Medicaid, others may qualify for limited help through savings programs.

Who Qualifies for Both

Several groups often qualify for both:

• Seniors (65 or older) with limited income and assets.

• Younger individuals with disabilities who already have Medicare.

• People who meet their state’s Medicaid financial requirements — including asset and income limits — alongside Medicare eligibility.

• Individuals enrolled in Medicare Part A and/or Part B who are also eligible for a Medicare Savings Program (these programs help pay Medicare costs such as Part B premiums, copays, and deductibles).

What Medicaid Will Pay for When You’re Dual Eligible

When you’re dual eligible:

• Your state Medicaid program may help pay your Medicare Part B premium.

• Medicaid might cover your Medicare deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments, depending on your level of eligibility.

• You often gain Extra Help for prescription costs, which dramatically lowers the cost of your Medicare drug plan.

• Medicaid may also cover other services that Medicare doesn’t fully support, like long-term care, home-based personal care, or nursing facility costs.

Different Types of Dual Eligibility

• Full Dual Eligibility: You receive nearly the full scope of Medicaid benefits — both Medicare’s costs and additional state services.

• Partial- or Program-Based Eligibility: You may only qualify for specific Medicaid programs like Medicare Savings Programs, which cover some but not all Medicare-related costs.

Why Dual Eligibility Is Helpful

• It makes health care much more affordable: you pay little to nothing for Medicare premiums, deductibles, or copays in many cases.

• It provides access to long-term care: Medicaid often helps cover services at home or in facilities that Medicare does not.

• It allows for better care coordination: since both programs can work together, you minimize out-of-pocket spending on medically necessary services.

Things to Be Careful About

• State Variances: Medicaid eligibility rules vary significantly by state; what you qualify for depends on where you live.

• Asset Limits: Some dual-eligibility programs have strict resource (asset) limits in addition to income limits.

• Plan Choice: If you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan designed for dual-eligibles, you need to pick one that’s available in your area.

• Changing Eligibility: If your income or assets change, your Medicaid or Medicare savings program eligibility may be affected.

FAQ

Q1: Does having Medicare automatically give me Medicaid?
No — you still need to meet your state’s Medicaid income and asset eligibility rules to get dual coverage.

Q2: Will Medicaid pay my Medicare premiums?
It depends: for many dual-eligible people, Medicaid helps pay Medicare Part B premiums and may also help with deductibles or copays.

Q3: Can I get both Medicare Advantage and Medicaid?
Yes — there are special plans called Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNP) made for people with both Medicare and Medicaid.

Q4: Does Medicaid cover long-term nursing care if I have Medicare?
Often yes — Medicaid may cover long-term services like nursing home care or support at home, which Medicare doesn’t fully provide.

Q5: What if my state doesn’t have these dual-eligibility programs?
Since Medicaid is state-run, it’s important to check with your local Medicaid office to see what programs and eligibility rules exist in your state.

Final Summary

Yes — it’s possible to have both Medicare and Medicaid if your income and assets are low enough and you meet your state’s rules. Being dual eligible can dramatically reduce your health care costs by helping pay for Medicare premiums, deductibles, and extra services that Medicare does not cover by itself.

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