Medicare and Ohio Medicaid at a glance
| Question | Medicare | Ohio Medicaid |
|---|---|---|
| Who runs it | CMS; Social Security handles most enrollment | The Ohio Department of Medicaid; county Job and Family Services offices decide eligibility |
| Who it's for | People 65+, people on Social Security disability for 24 months, and people with ALS or end-stage renal disease | Ohioans with limited income, and for people 65+, blind or disabled, limited resources |
| Based on income? | No (higher earners pay more through IRMAA) | Yes |
| What you pay | Premiums, deductibles and coinsurance; the standard Part B premium is $202.90 a month in 2026 | Little or nothing for covered services |
| Long-term care | Short skilled nursing stays only | Nursing homes, PASSPORT and other home care waivers |
| Drugs | Part D | For people with Medicare, drugs come from Part D, with Extra Help automatic |
| Plan choices | Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan | Managed care plans; MyCare Ohio for most people with both |
If you have both
Medicare pays first and Medicaid pays second. Ohio Medicaid can pay your Medicare premiums and cost sharing, and it covers long-term care. If you are 21 or older with Medicare Parts A, B and D and full Medicaid, you are enrolled in a Next Generation MyCare Ohio plan for Medicaid, in all 88 counties since August 1, 2026, and you choose whether to get Medicare from the same plan.
If your income is too high for full Medicaid, you may still qualify for a Medicare Savings Program, which Ohio calls the Medicare Premium Assistance Program, or for Extra Help with drug costs.
Names you'll see in Ohio
- Ohio Benefits (benefits.ohio.gov): where you apply for Medicaid.
- County JFS: your county Department of Job and Family Services, which decides eligibility.
- Ohio Medicaid Consumer Hotline (1-800-324-8680): helps you choose or change a Medicaid plan.
- Area agency on aging (1-866-243-5678): screens for PASSPORT and other home care.
To compare Medicare plans from the companies they work with, you can request a call from a licensed insurance agent.
Related questions
Can I have Ohio Medicaid and Medicare at the same time?
How dual eligibility works.
Does Ohio Medicaid pay for nursing home care?
Who qualifies and what you pay.
What is MyCare Ohio?
One plan for both programs.
Sources
- Medicare.gov — Medicaid
- Medicare.gov — Skilled nursing facility care
- Ohio Department of Medicaid — 2026 Monthly Financial Eligibility, Aged, Blind, or Disabled Individuals
- Ohio Administrative Code — Rule 5160-58-02, MyCare Ohio eligibility
More questions in this guide
- Can I have Ohio Medicaid and Medicare at the same time?
- Does Ohio Medicaid pay for nursing home care?
- Does Ohio Medicaid take your house after you die?
- Is MyCare Ohio available in my county?
- What is a dual eligible special needs plan in Ohio?
- What is a qualified income trust (Miller trust) in Ohio?
- What is MyCare Ohio?
- What is Next Generation MyCare Ohio?
- What is the PASSPORT waiver in Ohio?
Part of the guide: Ohio Medicaid and Medicare together · All questions
Frequently asked questions
Which one pays for a nursing home in Ohio?
Medicare pays only for short skilled nursing facility stays after a qualifying hospital stay, up to 100 days per benefit period. Ohio Medicaid can pay for long-term nursing home care if you meet its financial rules and need a nursing-facility level of care.
Is Medicaid the same as Medicare Advantage?
No. Medicare Advantage is a private-plan way to get Medicare. Ohio Medicaid is a separate state and federal program. A MyCare Ohio plan can cover both for people who have both.
Where do I apply for each?
Medicare: through Social Security at ssa.gov or 1-800-772-1213. Ohio Medicaid: at benefits.ohio.gov or your county Department of Job and Family Services.
Medicare in your Ohio county
Plans, local agents and help, county by county: Franklin · Cuyahoga · Hamilton · Summit · Montgomery · Lucas · Butler · Stark · Lorain · Warren · Delaware · Lake · Mahoning · Clermont · Trumbull · Licking · Medina · Greene · Fairfield · Portage · All 88 counties →
