Do you have Medicare and Medicaid? They are often mixed up. Two similar names but different insurances that can work together. Medicare is through the Federal Government and Medicaid is through the state. Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people over 65 and certain people with disabilities. While Medicaid is the state health insurance program for people and families with low income, children, pregnant women, and certain people with disabilities. If someone is on Medicare and has Medicaid they can work together. Medicaid can pick up some of the costs Medicare doesn’t cover. Medicare would act as the primary insurance and Medicaid would act as the secondary. People with Medicare and Medicaid are considered “dual eligibles” and have very little out of pocket expenses related to their medical care. It is possible for people on Medicare and Medicaid or “duals” to enroll in Dual Special Needs Medicare Advantage plans if offered in their area. These types of plans coordinate their Medicare and Medicaid benefits into one plan by an insurance company and usually offer extra benefits like dental, vision, hearing, over the counter items, transportation, and sometimes even a debit card to help with healthy groceries and utilities, and much more. If you or someone you know has Medicare and Medicaid and is interested in learning about Dual Advantage Plans it’s best to see if there are any in their area and to see if it’s a good fit. It’s best to understand the benefits and limitations of these plans and make sure their hospitals, doctors, and prescriptions are covered. These types of plans do work well for many people and can be very advantageous with all the extra benefits some of them offer. It’s best to consult with a professional when considering these options.
