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Can I have both Medicare and Medicaid?

Can I have both Medicare and Medicaid?

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Last updated: 
April 10, 2026
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The short answer

Yes. Having both Medicare and Medicaid at the same time is common and has a name: dual eligibility. Each program covers different things, and together they can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket costs.

The full explanation

People who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid are often called dual eligible beneficiaries. Medicare is a federal program based primarily on age or disability. Medicaid is a joint federal and state program based on income and assets. Qualifying for one does not disqualify you from the other. When you have both, Medicare is typically the primary payer, meaning it pays first. Medicaid then acts as secondary coverage and can help pay costs that Medicare doesn't fully cover, like premiums, copays, and deductibles, depending on your specific Medicaid eligibility level. There are also special Medicare Advantage plans designed specifically for people with both coverages. These are called D-SNPs, which stands for Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans. They coordinate your Medicare and Medicaid benefits in one plan and often include extra benefits like dental, vision, transportation, and over-the-counter allowances. Not every state's Medicaid program works the same way, so the exact benefits and coordination rules depend on where you live. It is worth getting help from a counselor or licensed agent to make sure your coverage is set up correctly.

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In 

Ohio

 specifically

In Ohio, Medicaid is administered by the Ohio state counseling resources. Dual eligible residents may have access to D-SNP plans from carriers like UHC, Humana, Molina, and Devoted Health, depending on the county. The Ohio Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program network can help you understand what you qualify for and how your benefits work together, at no cost to you.

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What this means for you

For you, this means that if your income is limited, having both programs can work together to cover a much larger share of your health care costs than either program would alone.

Related Questions

What is a dual eligible special needs plan (D-SNP)?

Can I get Medicare if I have Medicaid?

What are Medicare Savings Programs and what costs can they cover?

How do Medicare and Medicaid work together in Utah?

What is Extra Help for Medicare Part D and who qualifies?

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Planning Document Gatherer Which documents you need to have ready before enrolling or changing plans
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Planning Medigap Open Enrollment Window Whether you're inside your one-time guaranteed issue window for Medigap
Planning Medicare Savings Program Eligibility Whether your income qualifies you for help paying Medicare premiums and cost-sharing

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