Can you have Medicaid and private insurance at the same time in 2024?

Asked by: Gus Shields  |  Last update: July 26, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (61 votes)

Yes, you can have Medicaid and private insurance at the same time. Private insurance is your primary coverage. It pays first for services. Medicaid is your secondary coverage, meaning it pays last.

Can you have Medicaid and private health insurance?

The simple answer to the question of “can you have both Medicaid and private insurance?” is a resounding “YES”! Medicaid is given to low-income U.S citizens in need and will not be disputed due to already enrolled in a private health insurance program.

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

Medi-Cal managed care plans do not stop beneficiaries from enrolling in private health insurance plans. If a Medi-Cal beneficiary is currently enrolled in a Medi-Cal managed care plan, and subsequently purchases private health insurance, they will not be disenrolled from the Medi-Cal managed care plan.

Can I private pay if I have Medicaid?

(a) A provider may refuse to accept a patient as a Medicaid patient and bill the patient as a private pay patient only if the provider informs the patient that the provider will not bill Medicaid for any services or supplies but will charge the patient for all services or supplies provided.

Can I have Medicare and private insurance at the same time?

If you have Medicare and other health insurance (like from a group health plan, retiree coverage, or Medicaid), each type of coverage is called a "payer." The "primary payer" pays up to the limits of its coverage, then sends the rest of the balance to the "secondary payer."

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Can you drop Medicare and get private insurance?

But there are a few situations where you can choose a Marketplace private health plan instead of Medicare: If you're paying a premium for Part A (Hospital Insurance). In this case you can drop Part A and Part B (Medical Insurance) and get a Marketplace plan instead.

What is the best secondary insurance if you have Medicare?

The best Medicare supplement plan providers
  • Best for extra plan benefits: Humana.
  • Best for straightforward coverage: State Farm.
  • Best for extensive medical care coverage: AARP by UnitedHealthcare.
  • Best for a range of Medigap plans: Blue Cross Blue Shield.

How much does Medicaid cost per month?

Amounts. Most states adjust premium amounts by beneficiary income, with approved possible charges ranging from approximately $5 to $74 per month. Four states (AR, AZ, MI, and MT) have approved waivers to require monthly premium payments as a percentage of income.

Why do private practices not take Medicaid?

Prior research suggests that physicians believe Medicaid's low reimbursement rates prevent practices from adequately investing resources to improve quality.

How often does Medicaid check 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. The redetermination process is meant to ensure the senior Medicaid beneficiary still meets the eligibility criteria, such as income and assets.

Can you have both public and private health insurance?

There are several scenarios in which someone may be covered by multiple health insurance plans, including: An individual might supplement their private health insurance plan with a government program, such as Medicaid or Medicare.

Can I have Medicaid and Blue Cross Blue Shield?

Yes, you can maintain your employer-sponsored insurance plan as your primary coverage while also qualifying for Medicaid, which would pay for, generally speaking, any qualifying expense that your primary plan doesn't cover.

Do I need part B Medicare if I have private insurance?

You can enroll in Medicare Part B if you have other insurance, but you don't have to. However, depending on your other insurance, it may benefit you to have both. This depends on the cost of your other insurance and how it works with Medicare.

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.

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.

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

The answer is yes, but you need to pay close attention to how they complement each other. If you have both Medicaid and private insurance, it is important to know how they work together. This process is called Coordination of Benefits (COB).

Why do doctors refuse Medicaid patients?

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 are some disadvantages of 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.

Do most doctors accept Medicaid?

This gap was much larger in some states than others. For example, in New Jersey, Florida, Louisiana, and California, physicians were more than 30 percentage-points less likely to accept new patients with Medicaid coverage than those with private insurance.

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.

How much does Medicare cost per month in 2024?

The standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B enrollees will be $174.70 for 2024, an increase of $9.80 from $164.90 in 2023.

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

It is possible for Medicaid beneficiaries to have one or more additional sources of coverage for health care services.

Do you need supplemental insurance with Medicaid?

The purpose of Medicare Supplement Insurance is to cover the cost left by deductibles and coinsurance in Original Medicare, but as full Medicaid coverage should cover the majority of those costs, a Medicare Supplement Insurance policy isn't necessary.

What's the best insurance to go with Medicare?

  • Best for size of network: UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage.
  • Best for ratings: Aetna Medicare Advantage.
  • Best for low-cost plan availability: Cigna Medicare Advantage.
  • Best for Part B Giveback: Humana Medicare Advantage.
  • Best startup: Devoted Health Medicare Advantage.

Why are people leaving Medicare Advantage plans?

Key takeaways: People leave Medicare Advantage plans because out-of-pocket costs vary between plans, network restrictions can cause frustration, prior authorization requests can delay care, and it can be difficult to use the additional benefits they provide.