Medicare + Medicaid

Do You Qualify for Both Medicare and Medicaid?

If you have Medicare and also qualify for Medicaid or a Medicare Savings Program, you’re “dual eligible.” People who are dual eligible in New York can often get extra benefits and pay less for care. We compare dual eligible plans in Niagara County so you don’t miss a benefit you’ve earned.

Check Your Eligibility

Over-The-Counter Allowance

A monthly allowance for everyday health items like cold medicine, vitamins, and first aid supplies.

Healthy Food
Card

A monthly card for groceries and healthy foods at participating stores.

Fitness
Benefits

Coverage for gym memberships, fitness classes, and at-home exercise programs.

Other
Benefits

Rides to medical appointments, plus dental, vision, and chiropractic care.

If you have both Medicare and Medicaid, you have more chances to change plans during the year than most people with Medicare. Ask us what’s open to you right now.

What’s the Difference Between Medicare and Medicaid?

Medicare is federal health insurance for people 65 and older and for people with certain disabilities. It has no income limits. Medicaid is run by New York State and the federal government and helps people with limited income and resources pay for care.

For a free, confidential consultation, call (716) 319-4613.

Talk With an Agent

What Does Dual Eligible Mean?

You’re dual eligible when you have Medicare plus either full Medicaid or a Medicare Savings Program (MSP).

Your Medicare can come through Original Medicare (Part A and Part B), which the federal government runs, or through a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C), which a Medicare-approved private insurer runs. Most Medicare Advantage plans include Part D drug coverage.

How Do Medicare and Medicaid Work Together?

People often get broader coverage and lower costs with dual eligibility.

Medicare pays first for covered services like doctor visits and hospital stays.
Medicaid pays second and may cover what’s left for Medicaid-covered services.
Medicaid fills gaps, like personal care at home and long-term nursing home care. Medicare only covers skilled nursing for up to 100 days per benefit period.
Some Medicare Advantage plans also cover certain long-term care services.
Medicare Savings Programs help with Medicare premiums, deductibles, and co-pays.

Check Your Eligibility

What Services May Medicaid Cover?

Adult day care and adult day health programs
Personal care at home, in adult foster care, or in assisted living
Medical and non-medical transportation
Respite care so caregivers can take a break
Meal delivery and group meals
Home health aides and skilled nursing
Home modifications, like ramps, wider doorways, and accessible sinks
Personal emergency response systems
Housekeeping and chore services
Companion services
Help moving from a nursing home back home
Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
Medication management

Medicare and Medicaid both help pay for durable medical equipment, like wheelchairs and walkers.

Who Qualifies? New York Eligibility

New York’s limits are among the most generous in the country. If your income is close to a limit, it’s still worth applying.

Medicaid (Age 65+, Blind, or Disabled)

The 2026 income limit is $1,836 a month for one person. The asset limit is $33,038 for a single person and $44,796 for a married couple. Your home, car, and personal belongings usually don’t count. If your income is a little over the limit, you may still qualify through New York’s excess income program.

Medicare Savings Programs

New York sets its income limits above the federal minimums and has no asset test for its two main programs.

New York replaced the SLMB program in 2023. Most people who qualified for SLMB now qualify for QMB, which offers more help with Medicare costs.

Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB)

Helps pay your Part A and Part B premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and co-pays. The 2026 income limit is $1,856 a month for individuals and $2,509 for couples. There’s no asset limit, and you can have QMB and Medicaid at the same time.

Qualifying Individual (QI)

Helps pay your Part B premium. It covers individuals with income above the QMB limit, up to $2,494 a month, and couples up to $3,375. There’s no asset limit. QI can’t be combined with full Medicaid.

Income limits change every year. Contact us to see where you stand today.

Check Your Eligibility

Meet With Our Team

You deserve to understand all of your Medicare options.

Our office is in Wilson, NY, and we’re happy to meet clients throughout Erie County and beyond. Wherever you live, we’ll find a way to help.

Location

Erie Medicare Associates
2833 West Lake Rd
Wilson, NY 14172

Contact

(716) 319-4613
chris@saratogamedicare.com
bridget@saratogamedicare.com

There is no fee to meet with our team.

REQUEST APPOINTMENT

After you send your request, one of our agents will reach out to set up an appointment.

Medicare + Medicaid

Do You Qualify for Both Medicare and Medicaid?

Over-The-Counter Allowance

Healthy Food Card

Fitness Benefits

Other Benefits

What’s the Difference Between Medicare and Medicaid?

What Does Dual Eligible Mean?

How Do Medicare and Medicaid Work Together?

What Services May Medicaid Cover?

Who Qualifies? New York Eligibility

Meet With Our Team

Location

Contact

There is no fee to meet with our team.

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Healthy Food
Card

Fitness
Benefits

Other
Benefits