Medicaid and Medicare are types of medical assistance coverage available to many U.S. citizens and qualified categories of non-citizens.

Medicaid is a state and federal program. The agencies involved are:

• US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS),
• Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS), and
• Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (DHFS).

It is only available to people below a certain income.

Medicare is a health insurance program with multiple parts (A, B, C, and D) that is run by the federal government. Part A is for hospitalization and home health service coverage. Part B is for medical services. Part C is also called Medicare Advantage. There are different types of Medicare Advantage Plans. All Medicare Advantage Plans cover Parts A and B. Some even cover Part D. Part D is for prescription coverage. For more information, go to Getting Medicare benefits.

HHS runs the program. It is available to people over age 65. People under 65 who get Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) may also qualify. Unlike Medicaid, there are no income limitations for Medicare. 

Medicare participants must also pay: 

• Premiums,
• Deductibles, and
• Co-payments.

Both Medicaid and Medicare have important enrollment and spend-down periods. Also, applying may involve some research on the available plans. It is important to give yourself plenty of time to review the coverage options before you need medical assistance.  

Getting Medicaid and Medicare

Some people may qualify to receive both Medicaid and Medicare. These people may receive Medicare Part A, Part B, or both. They may receive full Medicaid benefits. They may also receive assistance through a Medicaid Savings Program like:

• Qualified Medicare Beneficiary – Helps pay for Part A and/or Part B. This includes plan premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and co-payments,
• Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary – Helps pay for Part B premiums,
• Qualifying Individual – Helps pay for Part B premiums, and 
• Qualified Disabled Working Individual – Pays the Part A premiums. Only certain people who have disabilities and are working qualify.

For more information, see Dual eligible beneficiaries.