Medicaid vs. Medicare
Medicaid is different from Medicare. Medicare is the federal health insurance scheme for people older than 64. People with certain disabilities are also eligible to apply for Medicare.
Can you access both Medicare and Medicaid?
You can have both Medicaid and Medicare, but you have to follow your state’s rules. People with the two programs are called “duals” or “dual eligible.” Medicaid can pay for Medicare deductibles [2] and copayments [3]. It can also pay for services not under Medicare but your state’s Medicaid program [4], like dental care, hearing, and vision.
People who are covered by Medicare do not have to depend on Medicaid to pay for prescription drugs. Medicare Part D pays for prescription drugs. However, some states allow Medicaid to pay for certain drugs that are not covered by Medicare. Also, people who are covered by both programs can access the Medicare Part D [5] Low Income Subsidy (LIS/Extra Help).