Medicare and Medicaid together (dual eligibility)
Medicare pays first. Medicaid can pay much of the rest.
People who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid are called dual eligibles. Medicare pays first for services it covers, and Medicaid can cover premiums, cost sharing, and services Medicare doesn't, such as long-term care.
Full and partial duals
- Full dual eligibles qualify for full Medicaid benefits in their state, plus help with Medicare costs.
- Partial dual eligibles qualify only for a Medicare Savings Program, which pays Medicare premiums and sometimes cost sharing.
What you get
- Extra Help with drug costs, automatically.
- If you're in QMB, protection from being billed for Medicare cost sharing.
- Medicaid coverage for services Medicare doesn't cover, depending on your state, such as long-term care.
- A monthly Special Enrollment Period to change to a standalone drug plan, and for full duals, to join an integrated D-SNP.
Plan choices
You can keep Original Medicare with a Part D plan, or join a Medicare Advantage plan, including a Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) designed to coordinate both programs. Check that your doctors take both your Medicare plan and Medicaid.
Common questions
Often very little: Medicaid may pay your premiums and most cost sharing, and Extra Help caps drug copays. Details vary by state and program.
Your State Health Insurance Assistance Program offers free counseling, and your state Medicaid agency can explain its programs.
Want help with your own choices?
Every state runs a State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) with trained counselors who give free, unbiased Medicare help and do not sell plans. Find yours on our Medicare by state pages, or call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) (TTY 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week).
Planning the rest of your coverage in retirement? We can help with life insurance later in life and final expense coverage.
Sources
- Medicare Savings Programs, Medicare.gov. Checked September 29, 2026.
- Help with drug costs, Medicare.gov. Checked September 29, 2026.
- Special Enrollment Periods, Medicare.gov. Checked September 29, 2026.
- CY 2025 Medicare Advantage and Part D Final Rule (CMS-4205-F) fact sheet, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Checked September 29, 2026.
General information about the federal Medicare program, not advice about your situation. Figures are for 2026 unless stated and change every year; last reviewed September 29, 2026. Quote My Policy is a private company. Not connected with or endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program.
Quote My Policy does not sell Medicare plans on this site. For plan-specific help, contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) (TTY 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week) or your State Health Insurance Assistance Program.