What happens if you get Medicaid in two states?

Asked by: Danny O'Connell  |  Last update: August 6, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (60 votes)

They can't be eligible for Medicaid in two states at the same time, and there is no automatic transfer of Medicaid benefits when a resident moves to a new state. Given these two complications, there are important steps you need to take to ensure your parent maintains coverage.

Can you be on Medicaid in two different states?

One thing you should know about Medicaid is that you can't be covered by it in two different states at the same time. Therefore, to transfer your coverage – so to speak – you'll need to first terminate your original Medicaid coverage and then apply in your new state once you've relocated.

Does out of state Medicaid pay?

Traveling to a different state with Medicaid – If traveling outside of the insured's home state and medical care is needed, Medicaid generally doesn't cover the cost of services rendered in a state other than the insured or patient's home state. One major reason for this limitation is the way providers bill Medicaid.

What are the hardest states to get Medicaid?

The 10 most deficient state programs have overall scores ranging from between 317.8 and 379.1 of the total 1000 points. The worst, in order from 50th to 41st, are in Mississippi, Idaho, Texas, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Indiana, South Carolina, Colorado, Alabama, and Missouri.

What happens if you have insurance in two states?

What if I have homes in two different states? If you keep vehicles at both homes, you'll need a separate policy for each state. For example, if you have homes in Massachusetts and Florida and you keep a car at each residence, each vehicle will need its own policy.

Does Medicaid Automatically Transfer if I move to another State?

41 related questions found

Can you have two health insurances with Medicaid?

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.

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 state has the best Medicaid program?

The top states—ranked from 1 to 10—are Massachusetts, Nebraska, Vermont, Alaska, Wisconsin, Rhode Island, Minnesota, New York, Washington, and New Hampshire.

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.

Can you bill patients with out of state Medicaid?

Generally, providers cannot bill Medicaid across state lines, but there are exceptions in emergencies or specific authorized scenarios. Understanding the intricacies of each state's Medicaid program is essential to determine whether billing is feasible.

How much does each state pay for Medicaid?

In fiscal year 2022, states spent 12.9 cents of every state-generated dollar on Medicaid for low-income Americans—2.7 cents less than the 15-year average.

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.

How many states do not accept Medicaid?

To date, 41 states (including DC) have adopted the Medicaid expansion and 10 states have not adopted the expansion. Current status for each state is based on KFF tracking and analysis of state expansion activity.

Can I get health insurance in a state I don't live in?

As the law exists now, you can only buy health insurance in the state where you maintain your permanent address. Your insurance company may not cover you if you move states and do not report this change in address.

Is Medicaid good in another state?

Within these parameters, each of the fifty states operates their Medicaid program differently. Therefore, Medicaid eligibility requirements are not consistent across states. One cannot transfer their Medicaid benefits from one state to another state, nor can they receive Medicaid benefits simultaneously in two states.

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.

What is the best state for free healthcare?

The top five states for healthcare access are:
  • Hawaii.
  • Massachusetts.
  • Connecticut.
  • Rhode Island.
  • Vermont.

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.

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.

Does Medicaid actually check your income?

Some states use a computerized system to cross reference a Medicaid applicant's reported income. For instance, in California, an electronic database, the Income Eligibility Verification System (IEVS), is used to match the income information provided by the applicant to other databases to verify it is accurate.

Can I see a doctor in another state with Medicare?

There are no network restrictions; you can see any provider that accepts Medicare.

Can I have medical insurance in two states?

You can only buy multi-state health insurance plans through the ACA's, or Obamacare's, state-based and federally facilitated health insurance exchanges. They are not available in the private marketplace.

How long does it take to switch Medicare from one state to another?

When you move, or experience another type of qualifying life event, you will get a two-month Special Enrollment Period (SEP)1 . This kind of Special Enrollment Period allows you to join, change or drop a Medicare Advantage or Part D prescription drug plan.