Medicaid Frequently Asked Questions 

Health insurance programs like Medicaid were created to help people pay for medical care. But how does it work? To quickly get a better understanding quickly, read the answers to the most frequently asked questions below.

Q: Are Medicaid and Medicare the same thing?

A: Both programs are funded by the government, but they’re quite different. The federal government manages Medicare. It’s available to everyone over 65 and people with disabilities, to help handle high medical costs.

States run their own Medicaid programs, so eligibility changes from state to state. But throughout the country, Medicaid is no or low cost health care for people with a low income. Unlike with Medicare, everyone must qualify for Medicaid each year. And some people have both Medicaid and Medicare.

Q. How does Medicaid work?

A. The national and state governments fund Medicaid together. States manage the program following federal laws. Medicaid provides medical and behavioral care to low-income adults, pregnant women, children, seniors and people with disabilities. To be covered, you must make sure each year that you are eligible—which depends on your income.

Q: Can Medicaid members pay cash for service?

A: Though some Medicaid members are responsible for cash, check or credit co-pays and deductibles, generally it’s not possible to pay for Medicaid services with cash.

Q: Can Medicaid be used out of state?

A: No. Medicaid coverage is only valid in the state where it’s issued.

Q. Does Medicaid cover dental care?

A. All children covered by Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) receive dental benefits including pain and infection relief, dental health maintenance and restoration. Adult dental benefits differ by state.

Q: Who qualifies for Medicaid?

A: Because each state has different requirements, your eligibility depends on where you live. Also, the American Rescue Plan, which was signed into law in 2021, changed eligibility in some states. But generally, people with the highest financial need and lowest income qualify for Medicaid, especially if the family includes many members.

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