Can I get Medicare if I have Medicaid?
The short answer
Yes. Having Medicaid does not prevent you from getting Medicare, and many people have both at the same time. When you have both, they work together to cover your costs.
The full explanation
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.
Related Medicare Resources
In
specifically
Utah has a program called the Medicare Savings Program, or MSP, that helps people who have both Medicare and Medicaid. Depending on your income, MSP can pay your Medicare Part B premium, which is $185 a month in 2025, and in some cases it also covers Part A premiums and cost-sharing. The Utah Aging and Disability Resource Center, also called the ADRC, offers free SHIP counseling and can help you figure out which programs you qualify for and how your benefits work together.
What this means for you
If you or your parent already has Medicaid and is approaching 65 or has a qualifying disability, getting Medicare added on top can actually reduce out-of-pocket costs significantly. The two programs are designed to work together. A free call to a SHIP counselor or to us at Resting Sycamore can help you understand exactly what your combined coverage would look like.
Related Questions
Can I have both Medicare and Medicaid?
What is a dual eligible special needs plan (D-SNP)?
What are Medicare Savings Programs and what costs can they cover?
Does Medicare depend on my income or assets?
Who qualifies for Medicare?
