Can you have Medicaid and not Medicare?

Asked by: Antoinette Hettinger  |  Last update: April 21, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (3 votes)

In most cases, even if you have Medicaid, you must enroll in Medicare when you're eligible. This is because Medicare is the primary insurance and will provide benefits and coverage for the health care services you need. If you do not enroll when you're eligible, you may face a late enrollment penalty.

What is the downside of Medicaid?

Disadvantages of Medicaid

One of the primary reasons for this is that Medicaid reimbursements are lower than those of commercial insurers for most procedures and treatments.

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.

Who is currently eligible for Medicaid in Texas?

Eligibility: The aged, blind, and disabled. Also, parents with dependent children are eligible with household incomes up to 15% of FPL. Children are eligible for Medicaid or CHIP with household incomes up to 201% of FPL, and pregnant women are eligible with household incomes up to 198% of FPL.

How do I know if my insurance is Medicaid or Medicare?

Medicare is a federal program that provides health coverage if you are 65+ or under 65 and have a disability, no matter your income. Medicaid is a state and federal program that provides health coverage if you have a very low income.

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Do I need Medicare if I have Medicaid?

People who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid are called “dual eligible.” If you're dual eligible, your Medicaid and Medicare plan(s) will work together to provide coverage for your needs. In most cases, Medicare will be your primary plan and cover most Medicare-eligible healthcare services.

Can you have private insurance and Medicaid at the same time?

Even if you are already enrolled in your own or family's private health insurance, you may still qualify for Medicaid benefits. This is perfect for individuals who are given health insurance from their employer but are still struggling to make ends meet.

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 are the two types of Medicaid in Texas?

Provider networks are organizations of health care providers that deliver services within managed care health plans. Managed care enrollees are expected to use network providers. In Texas, there are four types of Medicaid: STAR, STAR+PLUS, STAR Health, and traditional Medicaid.

What does Medicaid not cover?

Though Medicaid covers a wide range of services, there are limitations on certain types of care, such as infertility treatments, elective abortions, and some types of alternative medicine. For example, the federal government lists family planning as a mandatory service benefit, but states interpret this differently.

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.

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.

Why doctors don t like Medicaid?

One reason is that reimbursement rates for Medicaid are lower than for Medicare or commercial insurance. Another (often overlooked) factor, however, is physician's risk of payment denials and the administrative hassle they face trying to get reimbursed by Medicaid.

What is the biggest flaw in Medicaid?

The program is not without its critics: 12 states did not expand their Medicaid programs vis-à-vis the Affordable Care Act's inducements, and many state legislators believe the fiscal viability of the program is fatal unless eligibility criteria are tightened and enrollees are required to make copayments or gain ...

Can you get in trouble with Medicaid?

It is illegal to submit claims for payment to Medicare or Medicaid that you know or should know are false or fraudulent. Filing false claims may result in fines of up to three times the programs' loss plus $11,000 per claim filed.

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.

Can you own a home and be on Medicaid in Texas?

Financial eligibility for Medicaid is determined by examining both income and assets. In addition, although Texas is a community property state, the concept of community property is ignored in determining financial eligibility for Medicaid. But some assets, including your home, are not counted.

Can adults have Medicaid in Texas?

Medicaid can provide free or low-cost health care and long-term services and supports to low-income children and adults with disabilities.

Who gets denied Medicaid?

The most common reason an applicant is denied Medicaid is income or assets above the eligibility criteria. In most states in 2025, an applicant's monthly income must be less than $2,901/month, and their assets (including money in bank accounts) must be less than $2,000.

Does Medicaid monitor your income?

Yes, income and assets have to be verified again for Medicaid Redetermination. After initial acceptance into the Medicaid program, redetermination is generally every 12 months.

What triggers a Medicaid investigation?

Although each state statute is slightly different, MFCU investigations always involve: billing fraud involving the Medicaid program; abuse and neglect of residents within facilities that receive Medicaid payments; and. misappropriation of patient funds by such health care facilities.

Why do some people have 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.

What happens to my younger wife when I go on Medicare?

Medicare is individual insurance, so spouses cannot be on the same Medicare plan together. Now, if your spouse is eligible for Medicare, then he or she can get their own Medicare plan.

Can I decline Medicaid?

If you were found eligible for Medicaid but do not wish to enroll, you will need to fill out the Decline Medicaid Coverage Form available here. Declining Medicaid will not change your eligibility for advance premium tax credits or cost-sharing reductions to use to purchase a private health insurance plan.