Medicaid offers benefits that Medicare doesn't normally cover, such as nursing home care and personal care services. Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that helps cover the medical costs of certain low-income individuals, families and children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Medicaid also helps cover the medical costs of other adults. Medicaid offers benefits not normally covered by Medicare, such as personal care and nursing home care services. The rules about who is eligible for Medicaid are different in each state.
Medicaid can help cover Medicare costs, including premiums, cost-sharing and prescription drugs, for those who qualify. Learn how these programs coordinate benefits. People who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid are called “dual eligibility.”If you are dual eligible, your Medicaid and Medicare plans will work together to provide coverage for your needs. In most cases, Medicare will be your primary plan and will cover most Medicare-eligible health services.
Medicaid is usually the secondary plan and can cover medical costs that Medicare doesn't or partially cover. Mandatory benefits include services that include inpatient and outpatient hospital services, medical services, laboratory and X-ray services, and home health services, and others. Optional benefits include services that include prescription drugs, case management, physical therapy and occupational therapy. To be dual eligible, you must meet the requirements of Medicare and Medicaid and be enrolled in both programs.
Medicaid exemption programs may also have different requirements for different levels of coverage, depending on the help you need to take care of yourself. Medicaid also covers some expenses that Medicare doesn't cover, such as long-term care in nursing homes and personal care services. If you qualify for a Medicaid program, it may help you pay for costs and services that Medicare doesn't cover. For more information about the requirements and coverage of Medicare, Medicaid and Medicare savings programs in your state, contact the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).
According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, only about 1 percent of Medicare beneficiaries pay for Part A. Medicaid is jointly administered by the federal and state governments to provide health care and long-term care coverage to more than 78.5 million Americans, including children, parents, low-income adults, older adults and people with disabilities.
