Can you have both Medicare and Medicaid?
You can enroll in Medicare and Medicaid if you qualify for both programs.
Compare Medicare Plans in Your Area
Getting coverage through Medicare and Medicaid can lower or even eliminate your health care costs entirely. Most people get Medicare when they turn 65.
In most states, you can enroll in Medicaid if you earn a low income. But ten states require you to meet another condition, such as being age 65 and up, disabled or a parent or guardian.
Can you have Medicare and Medicaid?
You can have Medicaid and Medicare at the same time.
When you're covered by both programs, Medicare and Medicaid work together to cover most or all of your health care costs. Medicare always pays first and Medicaid pays second. The only exception is if Medicaid covers a service that Medicaid doesn't.
For example, if you get a $1,000 doctor bill, Medicare Part B would typically cover 80%, or $800, of your costs, and Medicaid would pay the remaining $200.
What are the differences between Medicaid and Medicare
Medicare mainly serves those age 65 and up, while Medicaid is for people who earn a low income. Plus, you have to pay more costs with Medicare than you do with Medicaid.
Medicare vs Medicaid
Medicare
Medicaid
- Eligibility is limited to those age 65 and up and people with certain disabilities
- Covered services include doctor visits and hospital stays with Original Medicare. You have to buy a Part D or Medicare Advantage plan to get prescription drug coverage.
- Costs you have to pay include a $185 per month Part B rate and separate deductibles for Parts A and B. You may have other costs if you buy a separate Medigap, Medicare Advantage or Part D plan.
- Where you live doesn't matter for Original Medicare because it's a federal program. But privately run Medigap, Medicare Advantage and Part D plan availability, cost and quality differ by location.
Medicare
- Eligibility is limited to those age 65 and up and people with certain disabilities
- Covered services include doctor visits and hospital stays with Original Medicare. You have to buy a Part D or Medicare Advantage plan to get prescription drug coverage.
- Costs you have to pay include a $185 per month Part B rate and separate deductibles for Parts A and B. You may have other costs if you buy a separate Medigap, Medicare Advantage or Part D plan.
- Where you live doesn't matter for Original Medicare because it's a federal program. But privately run Medigap, Medicare Advantage and Part D plan availability, cost and quality differ by location.
Medicaid
- Eligibility is limited to those who earn a low income. In some states, you must meet a second condition, such as being pregnant or a parent.
- Covered services include doctor visits, hospital stays, prescription drug coverage and long-term care.
- Costs depend on where you live, but typically you'll pay nothing or very little, called copays, when you get certain services.
- Where you live influences whether you'll qualify for Medicaid and the coverage you can get. That's because Medicaid is jointly run by the federal government and individual states.
Benefits of Medicare and Medicaid
The main benefit of having Medicare and Medicaid is you'll pay very little or nothing for healthcare. That's because Medicaid covers some or all of the costs you're normally responsible for with Medicare.
That means you don't have to pay for a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan. In 2025, the average cost of a Plan G policy is $159 per month. Plus, Medicaid may pay for your $185 Medicare Part B monthly rate, and your $257 Medicare Part B deductible, which isn't covered by Medigap Plan G.
Getting dual-enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid can also help you get:
- Coordinated care: If you get a Medicare dual-eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) or Medicare-Medicaid Plan (MMP), you can get streamlined coverage through a single plan.
- Long-term care: Medicaid offers long-term care benefits, such as coverage for nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Medicare won't pay for long-term care, although it does offer limited coverage for skilled nursing facility stays.
Who is eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid?
To get Medicare and Medicaid, you need to qualify for each program separately.
Medicare vs Medicaid eligibility requirements
Medicare
Medicaid
- Be age 65 or older
- Have Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS)
- Have kidney failure or End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)
- Get Social Security Disability Insurance payments for at least two years
Medicare
- Be age 65 or older
- Have Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS)
- Have kidney failure or End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)
- Get Social Security Disability Insurance payments for at least two years
Medicaid
- Earn about $22,000 per year (roughly $44,000 for a family of four) in most states
- States typically have higher income requirements if you're age 65 or older, disabled, a parent or guardian, or pregnant
- In 10 states, you can get Medicaid only if you earn a low income and you meet another eligibility requirement.
Keep in mind that Medicaid coverage depends, in part, on the state in which you live. That's because Medicaid receives funding from both states and the federal government. For example, if you live in California or New York, you may find it easier to get coverage than you would in Texas or Florida.
Medicare enrollment doesn't depend on the state you live in because it's funded and managed at the federal level. But Medicare Advantage plan cost, quality and availability depend on where you live. Remember, private companies sell and manage Medicare Advantage plans.
Medicare Advantage plans have to cover the same services you'd get with Original Medicare (Parts A and B). Plus, Medicare Advantage plans often offer extra benefits, such as prescription drug (Part D), dental and vision coverage.
Medicare Savings Programs for the dually eligible
You may qualify for a dual-enrollment program designed to help you save on your health care bills.
There are four programs for people who may not meet standard Medicaid eligibility requirements but who could benefit from extra financial assistance. If you enroll in a Medicare Savings Program, you'll get targeted help for the costs you're responsible for with Medicare. But you won't have all the coverage offered by Medicaid.
Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Program
Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) Program
Qualifying Individual (QI) Program
Qualified Disabled Working Individual (QDWI) Program
All four programs have separate limits for the amount of money you can have in savings and investments. You can't qualify for the QMB, SLMB or QI program if you have more than about $10,000 (roughly $14,000 for a couple) in combined savings, stocks, bonds and other investments or property.
The limit for the QDWI program is $4,000 for a single person (roughly $6,000 for a couple).
Frequently asked questions
How do I apply for dual Medicare and Medicaid coverage?
You need to apply for both Medicare and Medicaid separately to get coverage. If you make too much to qualify for regular dual-enrollment, you may still be eligible for extra coverage through a Medicare Savings Program.
Why do some people have both Medicare and Medicaid?
If you're 65 or older and you earn a low income, you may be eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid. In that case, having dual coverage could mean you'll pay little or nothing for healthcare.
In what order do Medicare and Medicaid cover persons who are eligible for both?
Medicare always pays first and Medicaid always pays second for services covered by both programs. In most cases, Medicaid is considered secondary health insurance when you're covered by two or more plans.
Methodology
Eligibility requirements for Medicare and Medicaid dual enrollment programs, including Medicare Savings Programs, came from Medicare.gov, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA).
Talon Abernathy
Senior Writer
Talon Abernathy is a ValuePenguin Senior Writer who specializes in health insurance, Medicare and Medicaid. He's also contributed to other insurance verticals including home, renters, auto, motorcycle and flood insurance.
Talon came to ValuePenguin in 2023. Since his arrival, he's helped to expand the site's health insurance-related content offerings. He enjoys helping readers understand the ins and outs of America's all too complicated health insurance landscape.
Before coming to ValuePenguin, Talon worked as a freelance writer. His prior work has touched on a broad range of personal finance-related topics including credit-building strategies, small business incorporation tactics and creative ways to save for retirement.
Insurance tip
In many parts of the country, you can qualify for a free Silver health insurance plan if you meet certain income requirements. Government subsidies in the form of premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions may mean you'll pay nothing for coverage.
Expertise
- Health insurance
- Medicare and Medicaid
- Flood insurance
- Homeowners insurance
- Renters insurance
- Auto and motorcycle insurance
Referenced by
- The Miami Herald
- Money.com
- MSN
- Nasdaq
- The Sacramento Bee
- Yahoo! Finance
Education
- BA, University of Washington
- Certificate in Copyediting, UC San Diego
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