Who qualifies for each?
| What to compare | Medicare | Medicaid |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Federal health insurance. | A joint federal and state program. Rules differ by state. |
| Who qualifies | People 65 or older, people under 65 with certain disabilities, and people of any age with end-stage renal disease or ALS. | People with limited income and, in some cases, limited resources, who meet their state's other requirements. |
| Nursing home and personal care | Not normally covered for long stays. | Covered for people who qualify. |
What does each one cover?
Medicare includes Part A for hospital care and Part B for doctor visits and outpatient care. Part D covers prescriptions, and Medicare Advantage is an alternative way to get Part A and Part B and often more. Medicaid covers benefits Medicare does not normally cover, such as nursing home care and personal care, and it can help with costs Medicare leaves to you.
Can I have both?
Yes. People who have Medicare and full Medicaid are called dually eligible. Medicare pays first for services it covers, and Medicaid pays after Medicare and any other insurance you have. If you are dually eligible, Medicare covers your prescription drugs through a Part D plan, which you are enrolled in automatically if you do not choose one.
Some people with limited income do not get full Medicaid but qualify for a Medicare Savings Program, which can pay the Part B premium and sometimes other costs. Ask your state Medicaid office or your state's free SHIP counselor.
See our Medicare plans
Turning 65 or reviewing your plan? We'll walk through Advantage, Supplement, and Part D side by side.Medicare enrollment window calculator
Enter a birth date to see when your seven-month Initial Enrollment Period starts and ends.We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.
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