Medicaid provides health coverage for millions of low-income Americans — and for those who also have Medicare, it can dramatically reduce out-of-pocket costs and fill important coverage gaps.
Medicaid is a joint federal and state health insurance program that provides coverage to eligible low-income adults, children, pregnant women, elderly adults, and people with disabilities. As of 2025, more than 70 million Americans are enrolled in Medicaid. The program is administered by individual states according to federal requirements, with funding shared between the state and federal government.
Because Medicaid is administered at the state level, eligibility rules, covered services, and program names vary from state to state. What qualifies you in one state may not qualify you in another.
Medicaid covers several broad categories of eligible individuals, including:
Income eligibility is primarily determined using Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) methodology. Eligibility thresholds vary by state and household size. Many states have expanded Medicaid to cover adults up to 138% of the federal poverty level.
Medicaid covers a broad range of services, including many that Medicare does not. Mandatory benefits (required in all states) include:
States may also offer optional benefits such as prescription drugs, dental care, vision services, hearing aids, physical therapy, and personal care services. These optional benefits are especially important for seniors and people with disabilities.
Approximately 12 million Americans are "dual eligible" — enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid simultaneously. For these individuals, the two programs work together:
💡 Medicare Savings Programs are available for people who have Medicare but have limited income. Depending on your income level, Medicaid may pay your Part B premium (and sometimes more). Many eligible people don't know about these programs — we can help you find out if you qualify.
You can apply for Medicaid through your state's Medicaid agency, through the Health Insurance Marketplace (Healthcare.gov), or in some states via a local social services office. Once approved, coverage may be effective as of your application date or even retroactively for up to three months if you would have been eligible during that period.
If you have both Medicare and Medicaid, you may also want to explore D-SNP (Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans), which are Medicare Advantage plans specifically designed to coordinate both programs in one streamlined plan.
One of Medicaid's most important roles for seniors is funding long-term care — including nursing home care, assisted living (in some states), and home-based services. Medicare covers skilled nursing care only for short periods and under specific conditions. Medicaid fills this gap and is the primary payer for long-term care in the United States. Eligibility for long-term care Medicaid involves both income and asset limits, which vary significantly by state.
Many people don't realize they qualify — or that Medicaid can dramatically reduce their Medicare costs. Let's find out what you're entitled to.