Can I get Medicare if I have Medicaid?

Medicare and Medicaid are two separate programs, and you can absolutely qualify for both. People who have both are often called dual eligibles. Medicare is a federal health insurance program based on your age or disability, while Medicaid is a joint federal and state program based on your income and assets. Having one does not disqualify you from the other. When you have both, Medicare pays first as the primary payer, and Medicaid steps in after that to help cover costs that Medicare leaves behind, like copays, deductibles, or services Medicare does not cover at all. How much Medicaid helps depends on which Medicaid category you fall into. Some people get full Medicaid benefits, meaning very little out of pocket. Others qualify for a more limited program that just helps pay Medicare premiums or cost-sharing. If you are turning 65 and you already have Medicaid, you will generally be enrolled in Medicare automatically if you have been receiving Social Security benefits. If not, you will need to sign up through Social Security. It is worth knowing that once you have Medicare, your Medicaid coverage may change, since Medicare becomes the primary payer for many services. But in most cases, having Medicare alongside Medicaid is a financial benefit, not a drawback.