Find Out if You're Eligible for Medicaid

But in some states, you need to have a low income and meet other requirements, like being pregnant or having a disability. You also usually have to be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident to get Medicaid.

How to qualify for Medicaid

Because the cost of living is higher in Alaska and Hawaii, you can make more and still get Medicaid. In Alaska, single adults can get Medicaid if they make up to $27,531 per year. In Hawaii, the income limit is $25,337 per year.

But in states that haven't expanded their Medicaid programs, the income limit is much lower. Adults without children often don't even qualify for Medicaid unless they meet another requirement, like being pregnant or having a disability.

2026 Medicaid income limits by state

What if you make too much to qualify for Medicaid?

If you make too much money to qualify for Medicaid, you may still be able to get coverage through a Medicaid spend-down program.

Medicaid expansion by state

Medicaid uses the federal poverty level (FPL) as a baseline to determine eligibility. The Affordable Care Act gave states the option to expand coverage to anyone earning up to 138% of the poverty level. Forty states and Washington, D.C., have expanded their Medicaid programs, which means you only have to meet the income requirements to qualify.

States without expanded Medicaid

States without expanded Medicaid

In 10 states, you can only get Medicaid if you have a low income and you meet other requirements, like being blind or pregnant.

Each state has some control over its Medicaid requirements. For example, parents in South Carolina can make more money and get Medicaid than parents in Florida or Texas. If you live in a state that hasn't expanded Medicaid, you should work with your state's Medicaid office to find out if you're eligible.

Who else can get Medicaid?

Parents, children, people with disabilities, pregnant women and senior citizens with low incomes can get Medicaid in every state, even if a state hasn't expanded its Medicaid program.

Families and children

Families with children qualify for Medicaid depending on income. Coverage typically ends after the child turns 19, although, in some cases, it may extend up to age 21.

Children in foster care at the age of 18 can get free Medicaid coverage until they turn 26.

Children can also get Medicaid even if their families have higher income limits. For example, parents with two kids in Connecticut have to make less than $45,540 per year to get Medicaid for themselves. But the same family could make up to $66,330 per year and get coverage for their children.

Income limits for children's Medicaid for a family of four

If you make too much to get Medicaid for your children, you might still be able to get coverage from the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The two programs are very similar, but the Children's Health Insurance Program lets you make more and still get coverage for your kids.

When you get Medicaid for your children, your coverage will pay for certain types of health care, including:

Pregnant women

Pregnant women who have low incomes can get Medicaid. However, how much you can make depends on where you can live. For example, if you live in Washington, D.C., you can make twice as much as you could in Arizona and still get Medicaid. Talk to your state's Medicaid office to find out if you qualify.

In nearly every state, Medicaid pays for postpartum care for a year after you give birth. In Wisconsin, Medicaid pays for postpartum care for three months after you have your baby.

In Arkansas, a bill to extend postpartum care was passed through the state House of Representatives but failed in the state Senate. Currently, Arkansas Medicaid only covers postpartum care for two months after birth.

After Medicaid coverage ends, you can sign up for private health insurance through HealthCare.gov or your state’s health insurance exchange. You don't have to wait for open enrollment because you will have what's called a "special enrollment period" that lasts for 60 days from the end of your Medicaid coverage.

People with certain disabilities

Medicaid is an option for people with certain disabilities such as traumatic brain injuries, cerebral palsy and schizophrenia. Check with your state Medicaid department for a full list.

In many states, if you get disability payments through the Social Security Administration, you will also qualify for Medicaid.

Seniors age 65 and up

If you're over 65 and you get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments, you’re automatically able to get Medicaid. You might even be able to get Medicaid along with Medicare. This is called "dual eligibility."

When you get medical care, Medicare will almost always be your primary coverage. Medicare pays first, and then Medicaid will pay for some or all of the remaining costs, assuming the medical care is covered. For example, neither Medicare nor Medicaid will cover cosmetic procedures like a facelift.

How to apply for Medicaid

If you're applying for a policy on HealthCare.gov, you'll automatically be checked for Medicaid eligibility. If you qualify for Medicaid, your state Medicaid office will contact you to sign up.

You can sign up for Medicaid anytime, as long as you qualify. That's because, unlike health insurance, Medicaid doesn't have an open enrollment period.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

Info about Medicaid eligibility is from the Medicaid website. Federal poverty level (FPL) guidelines for the state-by-state Medicaid requirements are from KFF.

Other sources include the Florida Legislature, HealthCare.gov, InsureKidsNow.gov, the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC), Medicaid.gov, the National Collaborative for Infants and Toddlers (NCIT), the Social Security Administration (SSA), the Texas Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Government Accountability Office.