How to Qualify for Medicare and Medicaid

Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people who are 65 years or older, certain younger people with disabilities, and people with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a transplant).

You qualify for Medicare if you are 65 years or older, younger than 65 with certain disabilities, or have End-Stage Renal Disease. You may also qualify for Medicare if you have Lou Gehrig’s disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that provides health coverage for people with low income, pregnant women, children, and people with certain disabilities.

To qualify for Medicaid, you must meet certain income and asset requirements. The eligibility rules vary by state, but generally, you must have a low income and limited assets. Certain groups, such as pregnant women, children, and people with disabilities, may have different eligibility requirements.

Yes, you can qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid. This is known as “dual eligibility.” If you are dual eligible, you may receive additional benefits, such as help with prescription drug costs and long-term care services.

To apply for Medicare, you can visit the Social Security website or your local Social Security office. To apply for Medicaid, you should contact your state Medicaid agency. They can provide you with information on how to apply and what documentation you need to submit.