Other Coverage
Medicaid
Quick answer
Medicaid is a joint federal-state program that helps people with limited income and resources pay for health care. People who have both Medicare and Medicaid are 'dual-eligible.'
Plain-English definition
Medicaid rules and benefits vary by state.
Why it matters
Dual-eligibles qualify for D-SNPs and extra benefits.
A simple example
You have Medicare and full Medicaid — you enroll in a D-SNP with a $0 premium and rich extras.
Common mistakes & misconceptions
Related terms
D-SNP (Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plan)
A D-SNP is a Special Needs Plan for people who have both Medicare and full or partial Medicaid. It coordinates benefits from both programs.
Extra Help
Extra Help — also called the Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) — is a federal program that helps people with limited income and resources pay Part D premiums, deductibles, and copays.
Low-Income Subsidy (LIS)
LIS is the technical name for Extra Help — federal assistance that lowers or eliminates Part D drug costs for people with limited income and resources.
Frequently asked questions
Are Medicare and Medicaid the same?+
No — Medicare is federal; Medicaid is state/federal for low-income individuals.
Sources & references
📚 Where this information comes from
- Medicare.gov — official U.S. government site for people with Medicare ↗Primary source for benefits, enrollment periods, and plan comparison.
- CMS.gov — Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services ↗Federal rulemaking, program updates, and official guidance.
- Social Security Administration — Medicare enrollment & premiums ↗Enrollment, premium withholding, and IRMAA determinations.
When you're ready, compare plans on your own terms
See Medicare Advantage plans from the insurance companies we represent, or walk the course with a licensed agent whenever you'd like a second set of eyes.
We help compare Medicare Advantage plans from the insurance companies we represent, and we don't offer every plan available in your area.
Medicare Caddies is an independent insurance agency. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the U.S. government, the federal Medicare program, or the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). We help compare Medicare Advantage plans from the insurance companies we represent, and we don't offer every plan available in your area.