Medicare and NJ FamilyCare: Do You Qualify for Both?
People with both Medicare and NJ FamilyCare, New Jersey's Medicaid, are called dual eligible. Here are the 2026 New Jersey income limits, the help in between, and the 2027 plans built for dual eligibles.
Key takeaways
- Dual eligible means you have Medicare and NJ FamilyCare (New Jersey Medicaid) at the same time. Medicare pays first; NJ FamilyCare can cover what is left and add services Medicare does not.
- For people 65 and older, the NJ FamilyCare Aged, Blind, Disabled (ABD) programs apply. One 2026 route covers single people with income up to $1,330 a month and resources up to $4,000.
- Above that, New Jersey's Medicare Savings Programs can still pay your Part B premium with 2026 income up to $21,546 single or $29,214 married.
- In Camden County there are 5 dual-eligible Special Needs Plans for 2027, Medicare Advantage plans built for people with both Medicare and Medicaid.
- To apply for ABD coverage, use the state's ABD application, call 1-800-356-1561, or contact your County Welfare Agency.
Medicare does not cover everything, and for people on a tight income the gaps can be hard to fill: the Part B premium, the 20% coinsurance, dental work, glasses. In New Jersey, NJ FamilyCare, the state's Medicaid program, can fill many of those gaps if you qualify.
Having both is called being dual eligible. It is more common than people think, and many people who qualify for partial help never apply because they assume their income is too high.
This post explains the New Jersey routes, from full NJ FamilyCare coverage down to help with just the Part B premium, with the 2026 limits published by the state, and what dual-eligible Medicare Advantage plans look like in Camden County for 2027.
What does it mean to be dual eligible in New Jersey?
It means you have Medicare and also qualify for NJ FamilyCare. Medicare pays your covered medical bills first. NJ FamilyCare then pays costs Medicare leaves, such as premiums and coinsurance, and covers services Medicare generally does not.
The state lists the covered benefits for its Aged, Blind, Disabled programs as including dental, eyeglasses, doctor and specialist visits, hospital care, prescriptions, lab tests and X-rays, rehabilitative care, mental health and substance use services, and long-term services and supports (NJ FamilyCare ABD brochure, 2026).
What are the 2026 income limits for NJ FamilyCare ABD?
There are several routes, each with its own limit. These are the 2026 figures from the state's ABD brochure.
| Route | Monthly income limit | Resource limit |
|---|---|---|
| Supplemental Security Income (SSI): full NJ FamilyCare automatically | $1,025.25 single, $1,516.35 couple (first $20 excluded) | $2,000 single, $3,000 couple |
| Medicaid Only (not on SSI) | Same as the SSI standards | Same as the SSI standards |
| New Jersey Care Special Medicaid Programs | $1,330 single, $1,804 couple (100% of the poverty level) | $4,000 single, $6,000 couple |
| Long-term services and supports (clinically eligible) | $2,982 single | $2,000 single |
Source: NJ FamilyCare Aged, Blind, Disabled Programs brochure, 2026.
What if my income is too high for NJ FamilyCare?
Check the Medicare Savings Programs. Their limits are well above the NJ FamilyCare limits, and they pay your Part B premium, which is $202.90 a month in 2026. The top level, QMB, also covers Medicare deductibles and coinsurance.
| Program | Pays | Yearly income limit | Asset limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| QMB | Part A and B premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, copays | $15,960 single, $21,640 married | $9,950 single, $14,910 married |
| SLMB | Part B premium | $19,152 single, $25,968 married | $9,950 single, $14,910 married |
| QI | Part B premium | $21,546 single, $29,214 married | $9,950 single, $14,910 married |
Source: NJ Medicare Savings Programs.
Apply for the Medicare Savings Programs through the NJSave application or by calling 1-800-792-9745. Our post on PAAD and Senior Gold covers the state drug programs on the same application.
What Medicare plans are built for dual eligibles?
Dual-eligible Special Needs Plans, or D-SNPs. They are Medicare Advantage plans only for people with both Medicare and Medicaid, designed to coordinate the two. In Camden County there are 5 for 2027.
| Plan | Type | Listed monthly premium | In-network maximum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wellcare Fidelis Dual Align (HMO D-SNP) | HMO D-SNP | $28.40 | $9,850 |
| UHC Dual Complete NJ-Y001 (HMO D-SNP) | HMO D-SNP | $4.10 | $9,850 |
| Wellpoint Full Dual Advantage (HMO D-SNP) | HMO D-SNP | $30.70 | $9,850 |
| Aetna Medicare FIDE (HMO D-SNP) | HMO D-SNP | $0.00 | $9,850 |
| Horizon NJ TotalCare (HMO D-SNP) | HMO D-SNP | $36.30 | $9,850 |
Source: CMS Medicare Advantage and Part D Landscape, Contract Year 2027.
Which plan fits depends on your level of NJ FamilyCare coverage, your doctors and your prescriptions. Dual eligibles can also change plans more often than other Medicare members, so it is worth reviewing your plan whenever your coverage changes.
How do I apply for NJ FamilyCare ABD?
- Use the ABD application. All Aged, Blind, Disabled programs share one application, available online or to print on the state ABD page.
- Call 1-800-356-1561 if you need help with the application.
- Or contact your County Welfare Agency. An in-person interview is not required, but they can help you apply.
- Gather proof of income, bank accounts, life insurance and any burial accounts or funeral trusts. The state lists what to send on its ABD checklist.
The bottom line
If money is tight on Medicare, check whether you qualify for NJ FamilyCare or a Medicare Savings Program. The 2026 limits run from about $1,330 a month for full NJ FamilyCare through the New Jersey Care route up to $21,546 a year for help with the Part B premium. If you qualify, ask about the 5 dual-eligible plans in Camden County for 2027.
Frequently asked questions
Can I have Medicare and NJ FamilyCare at the same time?
Yes. People who qualify for both are called dual eligible. Medicare pays first, and NJ FamilyCare can pay premiums, coinsurance and services Medicare does not cover.
What is the income limit for NJ FamilyCare for seniors in 2026?
It depends on the route. The New Jersey Care Special Medicaid Programs cover single people with income up to $1,330 a month and resources up to $4,000 in 2026. The SSI route is $1,025.25 a month with $2,000 in resources.
Does New Jersey pay the Part B premium for low-income seniors?
Yes, through the Medicare Savings Programs. For 2026 the QI program pays the Part B premium for single people with yearly income up to $21,546 and assets up to $9,950.
What is a D-SNP?
A dual-eligible Special Needs Plan, a Medicare Advantage plan only for people with both Medicare and Medicaid. Camden County has 5 of them for 2027.
Sources
- NJ FamilyCare Aged, Blind, Disabled Programs brochure, 2026 New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services
- NJ FamilyCare: Aged, Blind and Disabled New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services
- NJ Medicare Savings Programs New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Aging Services
- CMS Medicare Advantage and Part D Landscape, Contract Year 2027 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Please note: 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.Garden State Medicare Solutions is not connected with or endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program. Medicare has neither endorsed nor reviewed this information. This article is general information, not medical, tax or legal advice.
