Medicare · Dual Eligibility
Medicare and Medicaid: yes, you can have both.
If your income is limited, being on Medicare doesn’t rule out Medicaid — the two can work together, often covering most of your healthcare costs and unlocking extra benefits. Here’s how dual eligibility works in 2026.
Two programs, one goal
What’s the difference?
Medicare
- A federal program, run the same way in every state
- For people 65+, or under 65 with qualifying disabilities
- Eligibility does not depend on your income
Medicaid
- A joint federal–state assistance program
- For individuals and families with limited income and resources
- Eligibility, benefits, and payment rates vary by state
Medicaid’s required services include inpatient and outpatient hospital care, home healthcare, X-ray and laboratory services, and nursing facility care for adults 21+. States add more on top — what’s covered where you live depends on your state’s program.
If you qualify for both
Four programs that pay your Medicare costs
Dual-eligibles are often enrolled in a Medicare Savings Program — state programs that pick up Medicare premiums and cost-sharing. Income limits update every year, so we always check you against the current numbers.
QMB
Qualified Medicare Beneficiary
Helps pay: Part A and B premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and copays.
SLMB
Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary
Helps pay: Part B premiums.
QI
Qualifying Individual
Helps pay: Part B premiums — first come, first served; reapply each year.
QDWI
Qualified Disabled & Working Individual
Helps pay: Part A premiums for certain working people with disabilities.
Fika makes it easy
Think you might qualify for both?
A few short questions is all it takes. We’ll check your state’s current income limits, screen every Medicare Savings Program, and handle the enrollment — free, no pressure, and in plain English.
FAQs
Dual-eligibility questions
Medicaid eligibility depends on your state’s income and resource rules, which change yearly. The fastest path: a short call with us. We’ll check your state’s current limits, screen you for the Medicare Savings Programs, and if you qualify, handle the dual enrollment from start to finish — at no cost to you.
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