Two ways to have both
- Full Medicaid plus Medicare. Medicaid pays after Medicare and covers care Medicare doesn't, such as long-term nursing home care. In Florida, almost everyone with full Medicaid, including people with Medicare, gets their Medicaid through a Statewide Medicaid Managed Care (SMMC) plan (Fla. Stat. 409.965 and 409.972).
- A Medicare Savings Program only. QMB, for income up to about 100% of the federal poverty level, pays Medicare premiums, deductibles and coinsurance. SLMB (100% to 120%) and QI-1 (120% to 135%) pay the Part B premium. The asset limit is $9,950 for one person and $14,910 for a married couple.
What surprises many people: MEDS-AD
MEDS-AD is Florida Medicaid's group for aged or disabled people with income up to 88% of the poverty level. But DCF's manual requires that the person not be receiving Medicare, unless they also receive nursing home, hospice or home and community-based care, including PACE (ESS 2040.0813.03). So someone with Medicare who lives at home usually gets full Medicaid only through:
- SSI: people who get Supplemental Security Income are eligible for Medicaid; Social Security decides it.
- Medically Needy (share of cost): Medicaid pays in a month once your medical bills reach your share of cost.
- Long-term care: nursing home Medicaid, the Long-Term Care program or PACE.
Your Medicare options with Medicaid
You can keep Original Medicare with a Part D plan, or join a Medicare Advantage plan, including a dual eligible special needs plan (D-SNP). In Florida, coordination-only D-SNPs accept only people with QMB, SLMB, QI or QDWI, not full Medicaid; with full Medicaid, your D-SNP choices are FIDE and HIDE plans. You can request a call from a licensed insurance agent to review plans from the companies they work with.
How to apply
- Apply through ACCESS Florida. The Department of Children and Families (DCF) decides Medicaid and the Medicare Savings Programs. Apply online at MyACCESS or call DCF's customer call center at (850) 300-4323 (Florida Relay 711).
- Use one application. The same application covers full Medicaid and the Medicare Savings Programs.
- If you get SSI, Social Security handles your Medicaid: 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).
The full picture is in our guide to Florida Medicaid and Medicare.
Related questions
What is MEDS-AD Medicaid in Florida?
Why it rarely applies if you have Medicare.
Do I have to join a Medicaid plan if I have Medicare?
How SMMC works for people with both.
What is a D-SNP in Florida?
Medicare Advantage plans for people with both.
Sources
- Florida DCF — ESS Policy Manual, Chapter 2000 (MEDS-AD 2040.0813; QMB, SLMB and QI1 2040.0817–.0819)
- Florida DCF — Appendix A-9.1, Medicare Savings Programs financial standards (April 2026)
- Florida DCF — Public Assistance (ACCESS Florida)
- Fla. Stat. 409.972, Mandatory and voluntary enrollment
- AHCA — D-SNP contract, Attachment I-B
- eCFR — 42 CFR 423.773, Extra Help eligibility
- Medicare.gov — Medicaid
More questions in this guide
- Do I have to join a Medicaid managed care plan if I have Medicare in Florida?
- Can permanent residents get Florida Medicaid?
- How do I renew my Florida Medicaid on ACCESS Florida?
- What is a dual eligible special needs plan (D-SNP) in Florida?
- What is a FIDE SNP in Florida?
- What is MEDS-AD Medicaid in Florida?
- What is the Florida Medicaid Long-Term Care program (SMMC LTC)?
Part of the guide: Florida Medicaid and Medicare together · All questions
Frequently asked questions
Do I lose Medicare if I get Medicaid in Florida?
No. You keep Medicare, and it stays your main coverage. Medicaid pays after Medicare and can also pay your Medicare premiums and cost sharing.
I have Medicare and low income. Why was I denied MEDS-AD?
Because DCF's rules require a MEDS-AD applicant to not be receiving Medicare, unless they are in a nursing home, in hospice or getting home and community-based services. Ask about the Medicare Savings Programs and Medically Needy.
Do I get help with Part D drug costs?
Yes. With full Medicaid or a Medicare Savings Program, you're automatically eligible for Extra Help (42 CFR 423.773(c)), with no separate application to Social Security.
Medicare in your Florida county
Plans, local agents and help, county by county: Miami-Dade · Broward · Palm Beach · Hillsborough · Orange · Duval · Pinellas · Lee · Polk · Pasco · Brevard · Volusia · Seminole · Sarasota · Osceola · Manatee · Lake · Marion · Collier · St. Lucie · All 67 counties →
