Dual eligible refers to patients who are eligible for which coverage?

• A. Medicare only
• B. Medicaid only
• C. Both Medicaid and Medicare
• D. Private employer plan

Answer: (C)

Dual eligibility means a patient qualifies for both Medicare and Medicaid. Medicare is the federal program for people aged 65 and older or certain disabled individuals, while Medicaid is a joint federal-state program for those with very low income or limited resources. When someone is dual eligible, their coverage is coordinated so Medicare typically pays first for covered services, and Medicaid helps with costs not fully covered by Medicare or with additional services, depending on the state. This is why the correct understanding is that dual eligible refers to both Medicare and Medicaid. The other options don’t fit because they describe coverage from only one program or from a private plan, not both programs together.