Medicaid Eligibility Calculators
Medicaid is based mainly on income and run by states with federal rules. Medicare is a federal program, mainly for people 65 and older and certain people with disabilities. Some people have both.
Side-by-side comparison
| Question | Medicaid | Medicare |
|---|---|---|
| Who is it for? | People with limited income | Age 65+, or certain disabilities |
| Who runs it? | Each state | Federal government |
| Income test? | Yes | No, but costs can vary by income |
| Typical cost | Little or nothing | Premiums, deductibles and coinsurance |
| When can I join? | Any time | Set enrollment periods |
| Long-term nursing home care | Covered if eligible | Limited short stays |
Who qualifies for each
Medicare generally starts at 65 if you or a spouse paid into the system. People on SSDI generally get it after 24 months of benefits, and people with end-stage renal disease or ALS can qualify too. Medicaid looks at your income, household, state and group. Use the Medicaid calculator to estimate your eligibility.
What each one covers
Medicare has Part A for hospital care, Part B for medical care and Part D for medications. Medicaid must cover hospital and doctor care, nursing facility care, home health and transportation to care, and states can add dental, eyeglasses and other benefits.
If you have both: dual eligibility
- Medicare generally pays first, then Medicaid.
- Medicaid may pay your Part B premium.
- You may pay less for prescriptions through Extra Help.
- You may get benefits Medicare doesn't cover, such as long-term care.
Which one should I apply for?
If you're near 65, sign up for Medicare when you become eligible, because late enrollment can bring penalties. If your income is limited, apply for Medicaid or a Medicare Savings Program too. See Medicaid for seniors.
Try the free Medicaid eligibility calculator.
