By Daniel Petkevich
Jan 7, 2023
Medicare, Medicaid, and Medigap (also known as Medicare Supplement) often overlap; sometimes, people sign up for more than one plan. But is there ever a time when you should enroll in all three?
We want you to get the best benefits possible, so we'll walk you through everything you need to know.
Let's explore Medicare, Medicaid, and Medigap in more detail, get a sense of their differences, and discuss whether to enroll in more than one plan.
Medicare, Medicaid and Medigap all assist in covering your healthcare expenses. But they help different populations and meet unique needs.
Let's take a look at each plan.
Medicare
It provides coverage to people ages 65+ and those with disabilities or ESRD
There are four parts to Medicare:
Part A — part of Original Medicare; covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and some home healthcare
Part B — part of Original Medicare; covers medically necessary services and preventive care, such as doctor visits, lab tests, and durable medical equipment
Part C (Medicare Advantage) — alternative to Parts A and B offered by private insurance companies; combines all the benefits of Parts A and B and often includes additional benefits, such as prescription drug coverage
Part D — prescription drug benefit that can be added to Original Medicare (Parts A and B) or a Part C plan
Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that provides health insurance to low-income individuals and families — including the elderly, individuals with disabilities, children, and pregnant women.
Medicaid might cover a wide range of medical services, such as:
Doctor visits
Hospital stays
Prescription drugs
Long-term care
Immunizations
Screenings
Medicaid is administered by the states (rather than at a federal level). And each state has its own eligibility criteria and benefits. To be eligible for Medicaid, you must meet your state's income and asset requirements.
Medigap is a supplemental insurance policy that supplements Original Medicare (Part A and Part B).
It helps cover certain out-of-pocket costs — like copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. However, it doesn't cover long-term care
Medigap policies are offered by private insurance companies and are standardized by the federal government. You can choose from 10 Medigap plans Medicare Supplement Plan G
Yes. You can benefit from Medicare and Medicaid if you're dually eligible. In other words, you have to meet the eligibility requirements for both Medicare and Medicaid.
To be dually eligible, you must meet the following conditions:
Be 65 years or older or have a disability (like ESRD)
Have a low income
Medicare covers 80% of your healthcare expenses, while Medicaid helps cover the remaining out-of-pocket costs left by Medicare Parts A and B.
In other words, Medicare covers services that Medicaid doesn't and vice versa.
For example, Medicare may cover your hospital stays, doctor visits, and lab tests, while Medicaid covers your additional expenses like premiums, prescription drugs, eyeglasses, hearing aids
To better understand how these two programs work together, you need to be familiar with two terms: coordination of benefits and crossover claims.
When a person has multiple health insurance plans (like Medicare and Medicaid), providers must coordinate their benefits to avoid overpaying or duplicating coverage. Coordination of benefits determines which health insurance plan should pay for a medical service or claim first.
"Primary" payer — the insurance plan that pays first
"Secondary" payer — the plan that pays second
In general, Medicare is the primary payer, and Medicaid is the secondary payer. This means Medicare will pay for covered medical services first, and Medicaid will pay for any remaining expenses not covered by Medicare — like copayments, deductibles and coinsurance.
A crossover claim is a medical claim submitted to multiple insurance plans. They're used when an individual has two insurance plans that coordinate their benefits.
For example, if you’re enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid, your provider will submit the claim to Medicare. Medicare will process the claim first and apply any deductibles, coinsurance, or copayments. The claim will then be automatically forwarded to Medicaid. (Note: Your provider doesn't have to bill Medicaid separately for the deductible, coinsurance, or copayments that Medicare applied).
No. You don't need to enroll in a Medigap Plan if you're enrolled in Medicare and are eligible for full Medicaid benefits.
Here's why:
Most of your medical expenses are likely covered if you're dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid
Insurance companies aren't permitted to sell Medigap policies to Medicare beneficiaries with full Medicaid coverage
Yes! Medigap plans are good for individuals who don't qualify for Medicaid. They're especially helpful if you have a high income or assets and need help with out-of-pocket costs not covered by Original Medicare (Parts A and B).
Medicare, Medicaid, and Medigap are all health insurance programs that cover your medical expenses. Medicaid is specifically designed to help low-income individuals pay for out-of-pocket costs. In contrast, Medigap plans often help high-income individuals — who aren't eligible for Medicaid — pay for their out-of-pocket costs.
You don't need to enroll in a Medigap Plan if you're eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid. Medicaid will likely cover most of your out-of-pocket expenses.
Having multiple health insurance plans can give you more comprehensive coverage. But it can also be confusing. At Fair Square Medicare
How Much Does Open Heart Surgery Cost with Medicare?
Jan 27, 2023
Plan G vs. Plan N
Jan 28, 2022
Do You Need Books on Medicare?
Apr 6, 2023
10 Top Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Companies for 2025
Jul 14, 2025
What Is a Medicare Advantage POS Plan?
May 10, 2023
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Medicare
Jan 24, 2024
Does Medicare Pay for Bunion Surgery?
Nov 29, 2022
Is Balloon Sinuplasty Covered by Medicare?
Dec 1, 2022
Everything About Your Medicare Card + Medicare Number
May 12, 2022
How to Choose a Medigap Plan
Jan 10, 2023
Does Medicare Cover Iovera Treatment?
Jan 11, 2023
Do You Need Medigap if You're Eligible for Both Medicare and Medicaid?
Jan 7, 2023
Does Medicare Cover the Urolift Procedure?
Dec 6, 2022
Does Medicare Cover Cala Trio?
Nov 23, 2022
Does Medicare Cover Mouth Guards for Sleep Apnea?
Dec 8, 2022
Is Fair Square Medicare Legitimate?
Jul 27, 2023
Is the Shingles Vaccine Covered by Medicare?
Nov 17, 2022
Finding the Best Vision Plans for Seniors
Jan 6, 2023
13 Best Ways for Seniors to Stay Active in Jacksonville
14 Best Ways for Seniors to Stay Active in Seattle
14 Best Ways to Stay Active in Charlotte
2024 Fair Square Client Retention and Satisfaction Report
Are Medicare Advantage Plans Bad?
Building the Future of Senior Healthcare
Can I Change Medicare Advantage Plans Any Time? | Medicare Plans
Can I Have Two Primary Care Physicians?
Can I Laminate My Medicare Card?
Can I Use Medicare Part D at Any Pharmacy?
Can Medicare Advantage Plans be Used Out of State?
Can Medicare Advantage Plans Deny Coverage for Pre-Existing Conditions?
Can Medicare Help with the Cost of Tyrvaya?
Costco Pharmacy Partners with Fair Square
Does Medicare Cover Abortion Services?
Does Medicare Cover Bladder Sling Surgery?
Does Medicare Cover Compounded Medications?
Does Medicare Cover Cosmetic Surgery?
Does Medicare Cover COVID Tests?
Does Medicare Cover Diabetic Eye Exams?
Does Medicare Cover Disposable Underwear?
Does Medicare Cover Geri Chairs?
Does Medicare Cover Hearing Aids?
Does Medicare Cover Hoarding Cleanup?
Does Medicare Cover Home Heart Monitors?
Does Medicare Cover Hypnotherapy?
Does Medicare Cover Krystexxa?
Does Medicare Cover Light Therapy for Psoriasis?
Does Medicare Cover LVAD Surgery?
Does Medicare Cover Mental Health?
Does Medicare Cover Nexavar?
Does Medicare Cover Nuedexta?
Does Medicare Cover Orthodontic Care?
Does Medicare Cover Oxybutynin?
Does Medicare Cover Penile Implant Surgery?
Does Medicare Cover Physicals & Blood Work?
Does Medicare Cover Piqray?
Does Medicare Cover Shock Wave Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis?
Does Medicare Cover the WATCHMAN Procedure?
Does Medicare Cover Vitamins?
Does Medicare Pay for Funeral Expenses?
Does Medicare pay for Opdivo?
Does Medicare Require a Referral for Audiology Exams?
Does Retiring at Age 62 Make Me Eligible for Medicare?
How Do I Sign up for Medicare? A Simple How-To Guide For You
How Do Medicare Agents Get Paid?
How Do Medigap Premiums Vary?
How Does Medicare Cover Colonoscopies?
How to Become a Medicare Agent
How to Deduct Medicare Expenses from Your Taxes
Is Displacement Affecting Your Medicare Coverage?
Is PAE Covered by Medicare?
Medicare 101
Medicare Consulting Services
Medicare Deductibles Resetting in 2025
Medicare Guaranteed Issue Rights by State
Medicare Savings Programs in Kansas
Medigap Plan N vs. Plan G — Which One Fits You in 2025?
Saving Money with Alternative Pharmacies & Discount Programs
Seeing the Value in Fair Square
The Fair Square Bulletin: October 2023
Top 10 Physical Therapy Clinics in San Diego
Welcome to Fair Square's First Newsletter
What Are Medicare Part B Excess Charges?
What Happens to Unused Medicare Set-Aside Funds?
What Is a Medicare Supplement SELECT Plan?
What to Do When Your Doctor Leaves Your Network
What's the Deal with Flex Cards?
What's the Difference Between HMO and PPO Plans?
When Can You Change Medicare Supplement Plans?
When to Choose Medicare Advantage over Medicare Supplement
Why Is Medicare So Confusing?
Get the Fair Square Bulletin
Medicare savings tips, helpful guides, and more.
Virgil Insurance Agency, LLC (DBA Fair Square Medicare) and www.fairsquaremedicare.com are privately owned and operated by Help Button Inc. Medicare supplement insurance plans are not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. This is a solicitation of insurance. A licensed agent/producer may contact you. Medicare Supplement insurance is available to those age 65 and older enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B and, in some states, to those under age 65 eligible for Medicare due to disability or End-Stage Renal disease. Virgil Insurance Agency is a licensed and certified representative of Medicare Advantage HMO, HMO SNP, PPO, PPO SNP and PFFS organizations and stand-alone PDP prescription drug plans. Each of the organizations we represent has a Medicare contract. Enrollment in any plan depends on contract renewal. The plans we represent do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. Plan availability varies by region and state. For a complete list of available plans please contact 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048), 24 hours a day/7 days a week or consult www.medicare.gov. © 2025 Help Button Inc
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.
MULTIPLAN_FairSquareMedicare_01062022_M