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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchMedicare is federal health insurance generally for people age 65 and older and some younger people with qualifying disabilities or conditions. Medicaid is a joint federal-state program for people who meet their state’s eligibility rules, which commonly consider income and other circumstances. They are not either-or choices: you may qualify for both, and each can help pay different parts of your health care.
Medicare and Medicaid at a glance
| Question | Medicare | Medicaid |
|---|---|---|
| Who may qualify? | Generally people 65 or older, plus some younger people with specified disabilities or conditions. | People who meet eligibility rules for their state and eligibility group. Income and other circumstances may matter. |
| Who runs it? | The federal government sets the program’s rules. | Federal and state governments jointly fund and administer it; states determine many eligibility and coverage details within federal requirements. |
| What does it cover? | Hospital, medical, and prescription-drug coverage through different parts of Medicare; exact coverage depends on the Medicare arrangement. | Benefits vary by state and eligibility category. Medicaid may cover services such as nursing-facility long-term care and personal care that Medicare generally does not. |
| Can it help with the other program’s costs? | Not applicable. | Depending on eligibility category, Medicaid may pay Medicare premiums and some cost sharing. |
Medicaid may be called something else in your state, such as Medi-Cal or Medical Assistance. There is no single national Medicaid income limit that applies to every applicant; rules differ by state, eligibility group, and individual circumstances. See Medicare.gov’s Medicaid overview and contact your state Medicaid office for current rules.
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What Medicare covers
Medicare has four parts. Part A is hospital insurance, Part B is medical insurance, Part C is Medicare Advantage, and Part D is prescription drug coverage. Medicare Advantage plans, offered by private companies, are an alternative way to receive Medicare benefits under Part A and Part B, and usually include Part D drug coverage.
- Part A: Helps cover inpatient hospital care and other qualifying services.
- Part B: Helps cover medically necessary services such as doctor visits and outpatient care.
- Part C: Medicare Advantage plans combine Part A and Part B coverage and may offer additional benefits.
- Part D: Helps cover prescription drugs through private plans approved by Medicare.
Medicare does not generally cover long-term custodial care, such as ongoing help with bathing or dressing when that is the only care needed. Medicaid may cover nursing-facility long-term care and personal care services, subject to state rules and eligibility.
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What Medicaid covers and how eligibility works
Medicaid provides health coverage to eligible people under federal requirements and state-specific rules. States have flexibility in many details, so covered services, application processes, and eligibility standards can differ. Eligibility may depend on income as well as factors such as age, disability, household circumstances, or the specific Medicaid category. Do not assume that a limit or benefit described for one state applies in another.
For an individual eligibility decision, contact your State Medical Assistance (Medicaid) office. The office can confirm the rules that apply to your state and situation.
Can you have Medicare and Medicaid at the same time?
Yes. Medicare.gov states, “If you qualify, you can have both Medicare and Medicaid.” People enrolled in both are often called dual eligible. Medicare generally pays first for services covered by Medicare; Medicaid pays after Medicare and any other health insurance. Medicaid may then help with certain Medicare premiums or cost sharing, and may cover eligible services Medicare does not.
Having both programs does not automatically mean every bill or uncovered service will be paid. The help available depends on whether you have full-benefit Medicaid or a more limited form of assistance, such as a Medicare Savings Program, and on your state’s rules. Confirm with your Medicaid office what your category covers.
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Prescription drugs for people with both programs
For people with full-benefit Medicaid who also have Medicare, Medicare Part D is the primary Medicare prescription-drug coverage, and they automatically get Extra Help with Part D costs. Medicaid may cover some drugs that Medicare does not in certain situations. Ask your plan and Medicaid office about a specific medication.
What Medicare costs in 2026
Medicare costs change over time, and the following are 2026 figures from the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. They are not Medicaid income or resource limits.
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- Part B premium: $202.90 per month in 2026; some people pay more based on income.
- Part B deductible: $283 under Original Medicare in 2026.
- Part A deductible: $1,736 per benefit period in 2026.
- Part A premium: $311 or $565 per month in 2026 for people who do not qualify for premium-free Part A, depending on Medicare-tax work history.
These are Medicare costs for 2026; premiums and cost-sharing amounts can change annually. Medicaid may pay the Part B premium and, depending on the person’s category, some deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. People who qualify only for a Medicare Savings Program may receive limited cost assistance rather than full Medicaid benefits. See Medicare Savings Programs for an overview.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Medicare vs. Medicaid is not the same as Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage
Medicare and Medicaid are separate public programs, and some people qualify for both. By contrast, Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage are two ways to receive Medicare coverage. If you are choosing Medicare coverage, compare the options available where you live rather than treating Medicaid as a competing plan.
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| Feature | Original Medicare | Medicare Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| How you receive coverage | Federal Part A and Part B coverage. | A private plan approved by Medicare provides Part A and Part B benefits. |
| Providers | You can generally use any doctor or hospital that takes Medicare. | Plans may use provider networks; details depend on the plan. |
| Prior authorization | Generally not required for covered services. | May be required for some services, depending on the plan. |
| Additional benefits | Generally does not include routine vision, hearing, or dental coverage. | May include extra vision, hearing, or dental benefits; availability and costs vary by plan. |
Plan availability and terms vary by location and year. Use Medicare.gov’s comparison of Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage to review the differences for your options.
Quick Recap
Where to get help with eligibility or Medicare choices
- For Medicaid eligibility or benefits: Contact your State Medical Assistance (Medicaid) office for state-specific guidance.
- For Medicare plan counseling: Contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), a counseling resource referenced in the Medicare & You 2026 handbook.
- If you have both programs: Ask how your specific Medicaid category handles Medicare premiums, cost sharing, prescription coverage, and long-term services.
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