Is CareSource Medicaid? States, Plans and How to Enroll
Reviewed October 5, 2026. Yes, CareSource offers Medicaid. CareSource is a nonprofit managed care organization based in Dayton, Ohio, that runs Medicaid plans for several states. Its Medicaid page lists plans in Georgia, Indiana, Michigan, Nevada and Ohio, and CareSource also offers Medicare Advantage dual special needs plans (including CareSource MyCare Ohio), Marketplace plans and an Arkansas PASSE plan.
Quick answer: CareSource isn’t Medicaid itself; your state decides whether you qualify for Medicaid. CareSource is the health plan that delivers your Medicaid benefits if you choose it or are assigned to it. To join, apply for Medicaid in your state, then pick CareSource during plan selection if it’s offered where you live.
CareSource Medicaid plans by state
| State | CareSource Medicaid program |
|---|---|
| Georgia | Georgia Families (Medicaid) and PeachCare for Kids |
| Indiana | Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) and Hoosier Healthwise |
| Michigan | Medicaid managed care (MI Coordinated Health is a separate plan for people with Medicare and Medicaid) |
| Nevada | Medicaid managed care |
| Ohio | Ohio Medicaid managed care; CareSource MyCare Ohio for people with Medicare and Medicaid |
Source: CareSource Medicaid plans. States re-bid Medicaid contracts every few years, so check your state’s current plan list before enrolling.
Is CareSource Medicaid or private insurance?
CareSource is a private, nonprofit health plan. States pay plans like CareSource to manage Medicaid benefits, a system called Medicaid managed care. If your card says CareSource and lists a state program such as Georgia Families or the Healthy Indiana Plan, your coverage is Medicaid. CareSource also sells Marketplace plans, which are private insurance, and Medicare Advantage plans, which are Medicare coverage. Your card and welcome letter show which one you have.
| CareSource product | Type of coverage | Who decides eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Medicaid plans | Medicaid managed care | Your state Medicaid agency |
| Dual special needs plans, including MyCare Ohio | Medicare Advantage combined with Medicaid coordination | Medicare and your state |
| Marketplace plans | Private individual health insurance | HealthCare.gov or your state exchange |
| Arkansas PASSE | Specialized Medicaid program for people with complex behavioral health or developmental disability needs | Arkansas Medicaid |
What CareSource Medicaid covers
CareSource Medicaid plans cover the benefits your state’s Medicaid program requires, typically including:
- Primary care, specialists and preventive care
- Hospital, emergency and urgent care
- Pregnancy and newborn care
- Behavioral health and substance use treatment
- Prescriptions (in Ohio, through the state’s single pharmacy benefit manager)
- Dental and vision services as your state allows
- Rides to medical appointments
CareSource plans also add extra benefits that vary by state and year, such as rewards for healthy activities and a 24/7 nurse line. Check your state plan’s member handbook for current extras.
How to get CareSource Medicaid
- Apply for Medicaid in your state. You can’t buy Medicaid from CareSource directly. See how to sign in to your state Medicaid portal.
- Choose CareSource when your state asks you to pick a health plan. In Ohio, call the Ohio Medicaid Consumer Hotline at 1-800-324-8680 (TTY 711).
- Check your doctors in CareSource’s provider directory before you switch.
- Sign in to CareSource MyLife, the member portal, to view your ID card and benefits.
CareSource in Ohio
CareSource is one of seven Ohio Medicaid Next Generation managed care plans and one of the plans in Ohio’s Next Generation MyCare program for people with both Medicare and Medicaid, according to the Ohio Department of Medicaid. To compare Ohio plans, see our guide to AmeriHealth Caritas Ohio, which lists all seven Ohio plans.
CareSource for people with Medicare and Medicaid
If you have both Medicare and Medicaid, CareSource may offer a dual special needs plan in your area. These plans combine Medicare Advantage coverage with coordination of Medicaid benefits and often include extras such as OTC allowances. Compare plans during Medicare Open Enrollment (October 15 to December 7, 2026), and see how to find Medicare Advantage plans with OTC benefits and our guide to dual eligibility.
How CareSource compares with other Medicaid plans
Because states set Medicaid benefits, plans differ mainly in their doctor networks, extra benefits and service. Compare CareSource with other plans in your state, such as Molina, Humana Healthy Horizons, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan or AmeriHealth Caritas, based on whether your doctors and nearest hospital are in network.
Keeping your coverage
Your state, not CareSource, decides whether you remain eligible. Return renewal forms on time and keep your address current. Federal changes passed in 2025 add work requirements and six-month renewals for many expansion adults starting around January 1, 2027. Read what the 2025 Medicaid changes mean.
Frequently asked questions
Is CareSource Medicaid?
CareSource is a nonprofit health plan that runs Medicaid managed care plans for several states. If you’re in a CareSource Medicaid plan, your coverage is Medicaid.
What states have CareSource Medicaid?
CareSource lists Medicaid plans in Georgia, Indiana, Michigan, Nevada and Ohio, plus a PASSE plan in Arkansas.
Is CareSource Medicare?
CareSource offers some Medicare Advantage plans, mainly dual special needs plans, but its Medicaid plans aren’t Medicare.
Can I sign up for CareSource Medicaid online?
You apply for Medicaid through your state, often online. After approval, you choose CareSource through your state’s plan selection process.
How do I contact CareSource?
Use the Member Services number on the back of your CareSource ID card or the contact page on caresource.com. Numbers differ by state and plan.
This article is general information. Medicare365 is not affiliated with or endorsed by CareSource, any state Medicaid agency or any U.S. government agency.