Medicaid covers people of all ages, not just older adults

Medicaid is not a program for old people. It is a joint federal and state program that covers low-income people regardless of age — children, working-age adults, pregnant people, parents, and seniors all use it. The confusion exists because Medicare is the federal program specifically for people 65 and older, and the names sound similar. Medicaid and Medicare are completely separate programs with different rules, funding sources, and may be able to access requirements.

About 75 million people are covered by Medicaid right now. Roughly one-third of them are children. Another large group is working-age adults earning below their state's income limit. Seniors do make up a significant portion of Medicaid users, but they are not the only people it serves, and many seniors use Medicare instead of or in addition to Medicaid.

Key Takeaways

  • Medicaid covers people of any age who meet income and other requirements set by their state.
  • Medicare is the separate federal program for people 65 and older; Medicaid is for low-income people of all ages.
  • Some older adults may have access to for both Medicaid and Medicare at the same time, which is called "dual may be able to access" status.
  • Each state runs its own Medicaid program with different income limits, so coverage rules vary by where you live.
  • Disability status can make someone may be able to access for Medicaid at any age, independent of income in some cases.

How Medicaid may be able to access works across different ages

Medicaid may be able to access depends on income, family size, and sometimes disability status — not on age. Each state sets its own income limits, so a person who qualifies in one state might not in another. A single adult in one state might have an income limit of $1,500 per month, while the same person in a neighboring state might have a limit of $2,000 per month.

Children often have higher income limits than adults in the same state. A child in a family earning up to 200% of the federal poverty level might may have access to, while a parent in that same family earning the same amount might not. Pregnant people and parents of young children typically have their own income thresholds, which are often higher than limits for other adults.

Working-age adults without dependent children have the most restrictive income limits in most states. Seniors and people with disabilities may have access to additional Medicaid pathways that do not exist for other groups, but age alone does not determine who gets covered.

Why seniors sometimes use both Medicaid and Medicare

A person who turns 65 becomes may be able to access for Medicare automatically, but Medicare does not cover everything. It has premiums, deductibles, and gaps in coverage. If a senior's income is low enough, they can also may have access to for Medicaid, which fills in some of those gaps and covers services Medicare does not, like long-term care and dental work.

People who have both programs are called dual may be able to access. Medicaid pays Medicare premiums and cost-sharing for dual-may be able to access people, and it covers additional services like nursing home care. About 12 million people in the United States are dual may be able to access. This is not a separate program — it is simply being enrolled in both at the same time.

A senior does not automatically become dual may be able to access at 65. They have to meet their state's Medicaid income and asset limits. Some states are more generous than others, so the number of dual-may be able to access seniors varies widely by location.

Disability and Medicaid may be able to access at any age

Medicaid covers people with disabilities at any age. A person does not have to be old to receive Medicaid because of a disability. The Social Security Administration has a specific definition of disability for Medicaid purposes: a condition that prevents substantial work and is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.

Some people with disabilities may have access to for Medicaid through Supplemental Security Income (SSI), a federal cash assistance program. SSI has its own income and asset limits, and if someone qualifies for SSI, they automatically may have access to for Medicaid in most states. A 25-year-old, a 45-year-old, and an 80-year-old can all receive Medicaid through this pathway if they meet the disability and financial criteria.

Other people with disabilities may have access to for Medicaid through their state's regular low-income program, the same way a working-age adult without a disability would. The disability itself does not may provide coverage — income still matters — but it may open additional pathways or higher income limits depending on the state.

State differences in Medicaid coverage

Because each state designs its own Medicaid program within federal guidelines, the rules for who gets covered vary significantly. Some states expanded Medicaid to cover all adults earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level. Other states have not expanded and only cover parents, children, pregnant people, seniors, and people with disabilities — leaving many working-age adults without a pathway to coverage.

Income limits for seniors in Medicaid also differ by state. Some states use the same limit for everyone; others have higher limits for seniors. Asset limits (how much money and property you can own and still may have access to) also vary. A senior with $10,000 in savings might may have access to in one state and not in another.

Your state's Medicaid website or your local social services office can tell you the specific income and asset limits that apply where you live. These limits change periodically, so it is worth checking even if you looked them up before.

How to learn about you or someone you know might may have access to

The first step is to contact your state's Medicaid agency or your local social services office. You can also call 211 (a free referral service) and ask for Medicaid information in your area. Many states also have online pre-screening tools that give you a rough idea of whether you might may have access to based on income and family size.

Have your recent pay stubs, tax return, or proof of income ready. You will also need information about household size and any disabilities. The process varies by state — some allow you to apply online, by mail, or in person. Some states have simplified the process significantly in recent years.

If you are helping an older adult or someone with a disability, you can often start the process on their behalf. Many states allow family members or advocates to help with the application.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Medicaid end when you turn 65?

No. If you are on Medicaid when you turn 65, you stay on Medicaid if you still meet the income and other requirements. You will also become may be able to access for Medicare at 65, and you can have both programs at the same time. Your state's Medicaid office will help coordinate the two programs.

Can a working-age adult get Medicaid, or is it only for seniors?

Working-age adults can get Medicaid if they meet their state's income limit. In states that expanded Medicaid, many working adults earning below 138% of the federal poverty level may have access to. In states without expansion, working adults without dependent children or disabilities have fewer options, though some still may have access to depending on income.

What is the difference between Medicaid and Medicare?

Medicare is a federal program for people 65 and older, regardless of income. Medicaid is a joint federal-state program for low-income people of any age. Medicare is funded through payroll taxes; Medicaid is funded by federal and state taxes. They have different coverage rules and serve different populations, though some people may have access to for both.

If my parent is on Medicare, can they also get Medicaid?

Yes, if their income and assets are low enough to meet your state's Medicaid limits. Many seniors are on both programs. Medicaid can help pay Medicare premiums and cover services Medicare does not, like long-term nursing care. Contact your state's Medicaid office to see if your parent might may have access to.

Does having a disability make you automatically may be able to access for Medicaid?

Disability can open pathways to Medicaid, but it does not may provide coverage. You still have to meet income and asset limits. If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) because of a disability, you usually may have access to for Medicaid automatically. Otherwise, you may have access to based on your income, the same as anyone else in your state.