Medicare and Medicaid are two government-funded health insurance programs that provide coverage to millions of Americans. Qualifying for Medicare and Medicaid can be very confusing. So in this blog post, we will outline the eligibility requirements for each program. We will also discuss how to apply for Medicare and Medicaid, and what benefits you can expect to receive if you are approved.
What is Medicaid vs Medicare?
Medicaid is a state and federal program that provides health coverage to low-income adults, children, pregnant women, people with disabilities, and seniors. On the other hand, Medicare is a federal program that provides health insurance to adults aged 65 and over, as well as some younger people with disabilities.
To be eligible for Medicaid, you must meet your state’s income and resource requirements. In some states, Medicaid is also available to adults without children if they have a disability or are 65 years of age or older.
To qualify for Medicare, you must be a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident who is 65 years of age or older, or you must be under 65 years of age and have a disability. You may also qualify for Medicare if you have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
If you think you may be eligible for either Medicare or Medicaid, the next step is to apply for coverage.
You can apply for Medicaid through your state’s Medicaid office or online. To apply for Medicare, you can contact the Social Security Administration or visit their website.
Once you have applied for coverage, you will need to wait to see if you are approved. When you are approved for Medicaid, you will be issued a Medicaid card. Once you are approved for Medicare, you will receive a Medicare Number.
After being approved for both programs, you will be issued both a Medicaid card and a Medicare Number.
Any questions about qualifying for Medicare or Medicaid, please contact your state’s Medicaid office or the Social Security Administration.
Who Qualifies for Medicare and who qualifies for Medicaid?
All people that are turning 65 the have worked at least 10 years in the United States are eligible for Medicare. Medicare is not income dependent. Although IRMAA will make medicare more expensive for people over certain income thresholds.
Medicaid is entirely income-dependent. So if you make more than what your states consider to be above a certain income threshold. They have increased the amount you can make and still qualify for Medicaid this year in all the states. Below will be a chart showing Medicaid accepted income.
Medicare qualification list :
Be a U.S. Citizen or documented resident for at least five years AND one of the following:
- Age 65 or above
- End-stage renal disease (ESRD) diagnosis
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) diagnosis
- Receiving SSDI benefits for at least 24 months
Dual Enrollment Plans Medicare Advantage and How to Qualify?
If you are currently enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid, you may be eligible for a Dual Enrollment Plan. Dual Enrollment Plans are health plans that combine coverage from both programs into one plan.
To qualify for a Dual Enrollment Plan, you must:
Be enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid
Live in the service area of the Dual Enrollment Plan
Meet any other eligibility requirements of the Dual Enrollment Plan
If you think you may be eligible for a Dual Enrollment Plan, contact your state’s Medicaid office or the Medicare plan.
What are the benefits of a Dual Enrollment Plan?
Dual Enrollment Plans offer many of the same benefits as Medicare and Medicaid, but there are some key differences.
One of the biggest differences is that Dual Enrollment Plans have a cap on out-of-pocket costs. This means that you will never have to pay more than a certain amount for your health care costs in a year.
Another difference is that Dual Enrollment Plans often offer extra benefits that Medicare and Medicaid do not cover. These extra benefits can include dental coverage, eyeglasses, and hearing aids.
Finally, Dual Enrollment Plans often have lower copayments and deductibles than Medicare and Medicaid. This means that you will pay less for your health care costs overall.
If you want to see if you qualify for a Dual Plan. We have experts here that specialize in that type of coverage. Please reach out if you need help
