Do I qualify for Medicaid based on my income?

Qualifying for Medicaid

Qualification is based on income and family size. If you are eligible, you get low-cost or no-cost healthcare.

Medicaid provides health coverage for some low-income people, families and children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people will disabilities. Medicaid programs must follow federal guidelines, but can vary based on the state that you live in.

Medicaid Expansion under the new Health Reform law

The Health Reform law expanded Medicaid to include more people starting in 2014. Before the income qualification was 100% Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and has been expanded up to 138% FPL.

But again, it can vary state-to-state. Not all states decided to expand Medicaid to include more people. If your state did not, then you can qualify for reduced premiums plans through the exchange instead. See our State Decisions page to see if your state expanded Medicaid or not.

And not all states offer Medicaid coverage to lose whose incomes qualify. For example, some states do not offer Medicaid to young adults who are not pregnant or who have not recently given birth.

The best thing to do is visit Medicaid.gov to see if you qualify.

Reduced Premiums and Out-of-Pocket Expenses through the Exchange

If you can't get coverage through Medicaid, you might qualify for lower premiums or lower out-of-pocket expenses when you enroll in a health plan through the exchange. Premiums are based on a sliding scale to keep them affordable for you based on your household income.