Can I have Medicare and Medicaid in Louisiana?

Asked by: Vladimir Hayes  |  Last update: October 16, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (30 votes)

This State Profile provides an overview of persons who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid benefits in Louisiana, referred to as Medicare-Medicaid enrollees. Medicare-Medicaid enrollees are low-income seniors and people with disabilities.

Will I lose my Medicaid if I get Medicare?

People who have both Medicare and full Medicaid coverage are “dually eligible.” Medicare pays first when you're a dual eligible and you get Medicare-covered services. Medicaid pays last, after Medicare and any other health insurance you have.

Who can have both Medicare and Medicaid?

To be eligible to receive both Medicare and Medicaid, a person must qualify for either partial-dual or full-dual coverage. Eligibility for partial-dual coverage depends on the support that a person receives from Medicaid. Examples of the varied coverage may include: Part A premium (if applicable)

What is the highest income to qualify for Medicaid in Louisiana?

How to Apply and Join. When you enroll in Medicaid, you can choose Louisiana Healthcare Connections as your health plan. You may qualify for Medicaid if you are: Are age 19-64 and make less than 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (about $16,000 for a single person living alone, or about $33,000 for a family of four.

Can I have Louisiana Medicaid and private insurance?

Yes. Recipients should check with their providers to be sure they accept both their private insurance and their health plan.

How To Apply for Medicaid in Louisiana (2025) - Step by Step

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Can you have Medicaid and Medicare at the same time in Louisiana?

This State Profile provides an overview of persons who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid benefits in Louisiana, referred to as Medicare-Medicaid enrollees. Medicare-Medicaid enrollees are low-income seniors and people with disabilities.

Is it OK to have Medicaid and private insurance?

If your annual income is 200% or less of the Federal Poverty Line guidelines, your application for Medicaid will typically be accepted despite having private insurance. New income requirements outlined in the latest Affordable Cares Act allow a more comprehensive range of people to be eligible to receive Medicaid.

What income is too high for Medicaid?

In general, however, the income limits are low. In most states in 2025, the income limit for receiving long-term care at home or in a nursing home through Medicaid is $2,901/month.

How often does Medicaid check your bank account?

Medicaid agencies can check your account balances for bank accounts at any financial institution you've used in the past five years. They will check when you submit an application and on an annual basis, but checks can occur at any time.

Why do people have Medicaid and Medicare?

Medicare and Medicaid are both government funded health insurance covers. They differ by eligibility and coverage. Medicaid is generally for people in low income households. Medicare is health coverage for those over age 65 years or those under age 65 years and living with a disability.

How many people are dual eligible for Medicare and Medicaid?

They qualify for Medicare because they're at least 65 years old or because they're under age 65 and have a qualifying disability or medical condition. They qualify for Medicaid because they have low income and few resources. In 2024, about 12.8 million Americans are dual-eligible beneficiaries.

What happens if you make too much money while on Medicaid?

If you're over the Medicaid income limit, some states let you spend down extra income or place it in a trust to help you qualify for Medicaid. If you receive long-term care but your spouse doesn't, Medicaid will allow your spouse to keep enough income to avoid living in poverty.

Who gets both Medicare and Medicaid?

Medicare-Medicaid enrollees include people ages 65 and over who are in relatively good health but have limited financial resources and people who at one time, may have had more financial resources, but spent their income and wealth on health or long-term care costs.

Will Medicaid take my social security check?

It is essential to know that Social Security benefits are not exempt from Medicaid. Payments you receive from Social Security are counted as income. Nevertheless, you are not automatically barred from obtaining Medicaid coverage just because you receive Social Security benefits.

What happens when you are on Medicaid and turn 65?

Therefore, following the ACA's coverage expansion, many newly-insured older enrollees will face a complex insurance transition on their 65th birthday: they will lose Medicaid coverage and transition from Medicaid to Medicare as their primary insurer.

What is the spend down program for Medicaid in Louisiana?

Louisiana's Spend-Down Medically Needy Home and Community-Based Services (also called the SD MNP HCBS) program is a safety net that allows aged, blind, or disabled individuals who wouldn't otherwise have qualified for Medicaid to gain access to services.

What are the four types of Medicaid?

There are four types of Medicaid delivery systems:
  • State-operated fee-for-service (FFS)
  • Primary care case management (PCCM)
  • Comprehensive risk-based managed care (MCO model)
  • Limited-benefit plans.

Does Louisiana Medicaid check your bank account?

Medicaid is also required to check with your financial institutions electronically to be sure we know about all assets and resources. This electronic exchange using an asset verification system is a new federal requirement.

What disqualifies you from Medicaid?

In general, a single person must have no more than $2,000 in cash assets to qualify. If you're over 65, the requirements are more complex. Whatever your age, there are strict rules about asset transfers. Medicaid may take into consideration any gifts or transfers of cash you've made recently.

What assets are exempt from Medicaid in Louisiana?

The most common non-countable assets are the following:
  • Homestead (up to a value of $688,000 in Louisiana)
  • Primary Vehicle.
  • Personal Items (but not investment grade items like precious metals, jewelry, or art)
  • Cash Value Life Insurance (up to a value of $10,000 in Louisiana)

Can you have Medicaid and Medicare?

Some people qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid and are called “dual eligibles.” If you have Medicare and full Medicaid coverage, most of your health care costs are likely covered. You can get your Medicare coverage through Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage Plan.

What are the disadvantages of having Medicaid?

Disadvantages of Medicaid
  • Lower reimbursements and reduced revenue. Every medical practice needs to make a profit to stay in business, but medical practices that have a large Medicaid patient base tend to be less profitable. ...
  • Administrative overhead. ...
  • Extensive patient base. ...
  • Medicaid can help get new practices established.

Can you have Medicaid and private insurance in Louisiana?

The program may pay for insurance coverage for dependents who are not eligible for Medicaid. You are able to keep your private insurance and all of its benefits. You will have access to a larger network of providers.