{"id":14550,"date":"2025-06-16T11:40:13","date_gmt":"2025-06-16T11:40:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/airtalkwireless.com\/blog\/?p=14550"},"modified":"2026-06-16T03:55:19","modified_gmt":"2026-06-16T03:55:19","slug":"who-is-eligible-for-both-medicare-and-medicaid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/airtalkwireless.com\/blog\/who-is-eligible-for-both-medicare-and-medicaid","title":{"rendered":"Who Is Eligible for Both Medicare and Medicaid? (Is It You?)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>People may qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid if they meet certain age, health, and income requirements. While Medicare generally covers individuals age 65 and older or those with specific disabilities, Medicaid eligibility is based primarily on income and state guidelines. This article explains <strong>who is eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid<\/strong>, often called \u201cdual eligibles,\u201d and what factors determine their qualification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-1 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/airtalkwireless.com\/lifeline-application?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=GOV101_who_is_eligible_for_both_medicare_and_medicaid_FREEL_NGO\" style=\"background-color:#248fe9\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Apply for free phone with Medicaid!<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1. What\u2019s the Difference Between Medicare and Medicaid?<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Medicare vs Medicaid are both government programs that help people pay for health care. The <a href=\"https:\/\/airtalkwireless.com\/blog\/what-is-the-difference-between-medicare-and-medicaid\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">main difference between these programs<\/a> is that they serve different groups and have different eligibility rules.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Medicare<\/strong> is a federal program that provides health insurance mainly for people aged 65 and older, people under 65 with certain disabilities, and people of any age with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or ALS (Lou Gehrig\u2019s disease).&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Medicaid<\/strong>, on the other hand, is a joint federal and state program that helps with health care costs for people with limited income and resources.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/airtalkwireless.com\/blog\/who-qualifies-for-medicaid\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Medicaid eligibility<\/a> is based primarily on income and varies by state. Medicaid may offer coverage that Medicare doesn&#8217;t typically include, like long-term nursing home care and personal care services.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Medicare is mainly age- or disability-based, while Medicaid is income-based.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/airtalkwireless.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/who-is-eligible-for-both-medicare-and-medicaid-2.jpg\" alt=\"who is eligible for both medicare and medicaid programs\" class=\"wp-image-18413\" style=\"width:640px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/airtalkwireless.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/who-is-eligible-for-both-medicare-and-medicaid-2.jpg 800w, https:\/\/airtalkwireless.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/who-is-eligible-for-both-medicare-and-medicaid-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/airtalkwireless.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/who-is-eligible-for-both-medicare-and-medicaid-2-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Many older adults and people with disabilities may rely on both Medicare and Medicaid. (Image by Pexels)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2. Who Is Eligible for Both Medicare and Medicaid?<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Many people qualify for <strong>both Medicare and Medicaid<\/strong>. An individual who is eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid programs is said to be a \u201cdual eligible\u201d or \u201cdually eligible\u201d. Being dually eligible means you receive benefits from both programs.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dual eligibility is divided into <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cms.gov\/medicare\/medicaid-coordination\/basics\/general-information#:~:text=Medicare%2DMedicaid%20Enrollee%20Categories%20(PDF)%3A%20People%20who%20are%20dually%20enrolled%20in%20both%20Medicare%20and%20Medicaid%2C%20also%20known%20as%20dually%20eligible%20individuals%20or%20Medicare%2DMedicaid%20enrollees%2C%20fall%20into%20several%20eligibility%20categories.%20This%20document%20explains%20the%20different%20enrollee%20categories.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">several categories<\/a>, each with different qualifications and levels of assistance for Medicare costs:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries (QMBs):<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Income at or below <strong>100%<\/strong> of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Meet resource limits&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Medicaid pays Medicare Part A and B premiums and cost-sharing&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Providers cannot bill QMBs for deductibles, coinsurance, or copays&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiaries (SLMBs):<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Income between <strong>100% and 120%<\/strong> of the FPL&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Medicaid helps pay Medicare Part B premiums only&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Qualifying Individuals (QIs):<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Income ranging from<strong> 120%<\/strong> to <strong>135% <\/strong>of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Receive assistance with Medicare Part B premiums&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Assistance depends on state funding availability&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Qualified Disabled and Working Individuals (QDWIs):<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Individuals who lost premium-free Part A after returning to work&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Income up to <strong>200%<\/strong> of the FPL&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Medicaid pays Medicare Part A premiums&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Full-benefit Medicaid Recipients:<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Eligible for full Medicaid benefits in addition to Medicare Part A and\/or B&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Medicaid covers premiums, cost-sharing, and a wide range of health services&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Eligibility is determined by income and asset limits, which differ from state to state. Also, eligibility groups like Medicare Savings Programs (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.medicare.gov\/basics\/costs\/help\/medicare-savings-programs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">MSPs<\/a>) help low-income Medicare beneficiaries afford coverage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#f1f1f1\">&gt;&gt;&gt; <em>Also read: <a href=\"https:\/\/airtalkwireless.com\/blog\/what-is-the-difference-between-medicare-and-medicaid\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">What Is The Difference Between&nbsp;Medicare&nbsp;And Medicaid?<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3. How Does Medicare and Medicaid Coverage Work for Dual Eligibles?<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For individuals who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid (dually eligible beneficiaries), the two programs work together to help cover a wide range of healthcare needs. When someone is dually eligible:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Medicare always <strong>pays first <\/strong>for services that it covers, such as hospital stays (Part A), doctor visits and outpatient care (Part B), and prescription drugs (Part D).&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Medicaid covers some or all of the <strong>remaining costs<\/strong> not paid by Medicare, such as copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>For prescription drugs, once you&#8217;re found to be dually eligible, you&#8217;re automatically enrolled in a Medicare drug plan (Part D). However, Medicaid might still cover some drugs that your Medicare drug plan doesn\u2019t.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Not all dual eligibles receive the same level of assistance. Different dual eligibility categories define how much assistance a person receives with Medicare premiums, deductibles, copays, and other costs.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These categories are based on income, assets, and the type of Medicaid coverage they qualify for.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Check Section 2 again for detailed information on the levels of assistance in each dual eligibility category.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>4. What Is the Lifeline Program?<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>Lifeline program<\/strong> is a federal government initiative that helps low-income individuals and families afford essential communication services like phone and internet.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Lifeline Benefits&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Eligible customers can save up to $9.25 per month on their phone bills. For Tribal citizens, the discount is at $34.25 per month. Besides, Lifeline providers often offer <a href=\"https:\/\/airtalkwireless.com\/blog\/4-things-you-should-know-about-free-government-phone\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">free cell phones<\/a>, including popular brands such as Samsung and Apple.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With the Affordable Connectivity Program (<a href=\"https:\/\/airtalkwireless.com\/blog\/acp-free-phone-and-tablet\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ACP<\/a>) ending in 2024, Lifeline has become the primary federal assistance program helping low-income households maintain affordable phone and internet access.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Lifeline and Medicaid&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Many people who qualify for Medicaid may also be eligible for the Lifeline program. In fact, Medicaid is the most common way to prove Lifeline eligibility; individuals who <a href=\"https:\/\/airtalkwireless.com\/blog\/qualify-for-a-free-phone-with-medicaid\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">qualify for Lifeline through Medicaid<\/a> make up the largest group of participants in the program.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you or someone in your household participates in Medicaid, you or they\u2019re very likely to qualify for Lifeline and get a free device from a specific Lifeline provider like AirTalk Wireless.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><em>Step 1: Visit the AirTalk Wireless Website&nbsp;<\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Go to AirTalk Wireless. Enter your ZIP code.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-2 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/airtalkwireless.com\/lifeline-application?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=GOV101_who_is_eligible_for_both_medicare_and_medicaid_FREEL_NGO\" style=\"background-color:#248fe9\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Apply for free phone with Medicaid!<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"789\" src=\"https:\/\/airtalkwireless.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/apply-now-airtalk-1024x789.jpg\" alt=\"get a FREE large screen cell phone with AirTalk\" class=\"wp-image-12255\" style=\"width:640px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/airtalkwireless.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/apply-now-airtalk-1024x789.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/airtalkwireless.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/apply-now-airtalk-300x231.jpg 300w, https:\/\/airtalkwireless.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/apply-now-airtalk-768x592.jpg 768w, https:\/\/airtalkwireless.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/apply-now-airtalk-1536x1184.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/airtalkwireless.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/apply-now-airtalk.jpg 1800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>You can use Medicaid eligibility to apply on AirTalk Wireless!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><em>Step 2: Choose a Lifeline Plan&nbsp;<\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>AirTalk offers several Lifeline plans:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Standard, Plus, Premium, or Unlimited Plans<\/strong> \u2013 Include a <strong>free phone<\/strong>, and higher-tier plans may have a small monthly fee for extra data.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Data Boost Plan (BYOD)<\/strong> \u2013 For users who already have a compatible device. This plan provides high-data access without offering a new phone.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;(Plan and data caps may vary by state.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><em>Step 3: Pick Your Free Phone (If Needed)<\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>You can select from a range of free phones. If you prefer, upgrade to a higher-end model or get a tablet at a discounted rate or no cost. Offers and prices vary depending on the state and the availability of inventory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"785\" height=\"664\" src=\"https:\/\/airtalkwireless.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/free-phone-airtalk.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8426\" style=\"width:640px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/airtalkwireless.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/free-phone-airtalk.jpg 785w, https:\/\/airtalkwireless.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/free-phone-airtalk-300x254.jpg 300w, https:\/\/airtalkwireless.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/free-phone-airtalk-768x650.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 785px) 100vw, 785px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><em><strong>Step 4: Upload Your Documents (If Required)<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Some applicants may need to provide documents to prove eligibility. Some users may be verified automatically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Make sure you have valid Medicaid documentation in case you are required to submit proof.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><em>Step 5: Submit Your Application<\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Submit your application. If approved, you\u2019ll receive a confirmation email.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-3 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/airtalkwireless.com\/products\/upgrade?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=GOV101_who_is_eligible_for_both_medicare_and_medicaid_FREEL_NGO\" style=\"background-color:#248fe9\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>See upgrade phone options here<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Conclusion<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Eligibility for both Medicare and Medicaid depends on a combination of age, health status, income, and state-specific rules. It\u2019s important to apply within the appropriate enrollment periods and verify eligibility to maximize benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#f1f1f1\">&gt;&gt;&gt; <em>Also read: <a href=\"https:\/\/airtalkwireless.com\/blog\/free-government-iphone-with-medicaid\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Free Government iPhone with&nbsp;Medicaid: How To Qualify And Apply<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>People may qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid if they meet certain age, health, and income requirements. While Medicare generally covers individuals age 65 and older or those with specific disabilities, Medicaid eligibility is based primarily on income and state guidelines. This article explains who is eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid, often called \u201cdual [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1909,"featured_media":18411,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[103,604,107],"tags":[6,32,33,34,40,344],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/airtalkwireless.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/who-is-eligible-for-both-medicare-and-medicaid-1.jpg","featured_image_src_square":"https:\/\/airtalkwireless.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/who-is-eligible-for-both-medicare-and-medicaid-1.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"Nina Campbell","author_link":"https:\/\/airtalkwireless.com\/blog\/author\/ninacamp\/"},"rbea_author_info":{"display_name":"Nina Campbell","author_link":"https:\/\/airtalkwireless.com\/blog\/author\/ninacamp\/"},"rbea_excerpt_info":"People may qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid if they meet certain age, health, and income requirements. While Medicare generally covers individuals age 65 and older or those with specific disabilities, Medicaid eligibility is based primarily on income and state guidelines. This article explains who is eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid, often called \u201cdual [&hellip;]","category_list":"<a href=\"https:\/\/airtalkwireless.com\/blog\/government-assistance-101\" rel=\"category tag\">Government Assistance 101<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/airtalkwireless.com\/blog\/government-assistance-101\/medicaid-medi-cal\" rel=\"category tag\">Medicaid\/Medi-Cal<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/airtalkwireless.com\/blog\/lifeline-program\/understanding-lifeline-program\" rel=\"category tag\">Understanding Lifeline Program<\/a>","comments_num":"0 comments","amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/airtalkwireless.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14550"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/airtalkwireless.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/airtalkwireless.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/airtalkwireless.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1909"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/airtalkwireless.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14550"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/airtalkwireless.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14550\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28525,"href":"https:\/\/airtalkwireless.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14550\/revisions\/28525"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/airtalkwireless.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18411"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/airtalkwireless.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14550"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/airtalkwireless.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14550"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/airtalkwireless.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14550"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}