Medicaid Income Limits by State 2024

Many residents would say that one of the biggest problems in the United States is the state of healthcare. Not only is healthcare expensive, but not everyone has access to insurance that makes it more affordable. While the Affordable Care Act did help some low-income households, other individuals and families still struggle without healthcare.

One of the nation’s programs that strives to help low-income individuals have access to healthcare is Medicaid. This federal program allows children, parents, pregnant women, and adults to receive the care they need despite having a low income.

Qualifying for Medicaid varies by state. The primary difference is the income level required to qualify. If you earn too much income, you will not qualify for this federal program and will need to seek other forms of assistance for healthcare.

For this article, we’re going to look at the income limits by state for parents of one child, as well as other adults. All numbers are based on the Federal Poverty Level, or FPL. The FPL is determined by the Department of Health and Human Services. This number is used to determine who is eligible for programs like Medicaid and other benefits, such as low-income government housing programs and food stamps. This rate is adjusted every year in January based on inflation.

As of 2019, the FPL for a family of three is $21,330 in the 48 contiguous states plus the District of Columbia. In Alaska, this number rises to $26,600. In Hawaii, the FPL for a family of three is $24,540. For an individual, the contiguous U.S. has determined the FPL to be $12,490. In Alaska, this number rises to $15,600, while Hawaii has an FPL for individuals at $14,380.

The state with the highest income limits for both a family of three and individuals is Washington, D.C. If you live in this area, a family of three can qualify for Medicaid if their income is at 221% of the FPL. For other adults, the limit is set at 251% of the FPL.

The next state with the highest income limits is Connecticut, which has limits of 155% of the FPL for parents and 138% for other adults. Indiana comes in third with limits of 139% of the FPL for parents and adults.

A large number of states have set income limits for both parents and adults at 138% of the FPL. These states include West Virginia, Washington, Vermont, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Ohio, North Dakota, and New York, just to name a few.

On the other side of the coin, Texas has the lowest income limits of all of the U.S. states. Income limits for Medicaid for parents is 17% of the FPL. Alabama doesn’t come far behind with income limits of 18%. Other states with Medicaid income limits that fall below 100% of the FPL include Missouri, Idaho, Mississippi, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Virginia, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Wyoming, Utah, Nebraska, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

Medicaid Income Limits by State 2024

Notes:
- AABD = Aid to Aged Blind and Disabled
- ABD = Aged, Blind, and Disabled
- EAD = Elders and Adults with Disabilities
- EBD = Elderly, Blind, and Disabled
- HCBS = Home and Community Based Services
- I-NHM = Institutional / Nursing Home Medicaid
- LTCCS = Long Term Care Community Services
- MAD = Medicaid for Aged and Disabled
- MED = Medicaid for Elderly and Disabled
- MW = Medicaid Waivers
- OAA = Old Age Assistance
- RM = Regular Medicaid
- TM = Traditional Medicaid
- For households in which both spouses have applied, the income limits divide 50/50 between spouses. For example, a limit of $5,484 is actually $2742 per spouse.
- Values for Pennsylvania and Wisconsin have been rounded to the nearest whole dollar

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State
Single Or Married One Spouse Applying
Married
Alabama27425484
Alaska27425484
Arizona27425484
Arkansas27425484
CaliforniaNo limit, but income over $35 / month must go toward careNo limit, but income over $35 / month must go toward care
Colorado27425484
ConnecticutIncome cannot exceed the cost of nursing home careIncome cannot exceed the cost of nursing home care
Delaware22854570
District of Columbia27425484
Florida27425484
Georgia27425484
HawaiiNo limit, but income over $50 / month must go toward careNo limit, but income over $50 / month must go toward care
Idaho27625504
Illinois12151643
Indiana27425484
Iowa27425484
KansasNo limit, but income over $62 / month must go toward careNo limit, but income over $62 / month must go toward care
Kentucky27425484
Louisiana27425484
Maine27425484
MarylandIncome cannot exceed the cost of nursing home careIncome cannot exceed the cost of nursing home care
Massachusetts12151643
Michigan27425484
Minnesota12151644
Mississippi27425484
MissouriNo limit, but income over $50 / month must go toward careNo limit, but income over $50 / month must go toward care
MontanaIncome cannot exceed the cost of nursing home careIncome cannot exceed the cost of nursing home care
Nebraska12151643
Nevada27425484
New Hampshire27425484
New Jersey27425484
New Mexico27425484
New York16772268
North CarolinaIncome cannot exceed the amount Medicaid pays for nursing home care (est. $6,381 – $9,087 / mo.)Income cannot exceed the amount Medicaid pays for nursing home care (est. $6,381 – $9,087 / mo.)
North DakotaNo limit, but income over $65 / month must go toward careNo limit, but income over $130 / month must go toward care
Ohio27425484
Oklahoma27425484
Oregon27425484
Pennsylvania27425484
Rhode Island27425484
South Carolina27425484
South Dakota27425484
Tennessee27425484
Texas27425484
UtahNo limit, but income determines amount household must pay toward careNo limit, but income determines amount household must pay toward care
Vermont27425484
Virginia27425484
Washington27425484
West Virginia27425484
Wisconsin27425484
Wyoming27425484
showing: 51 rows

Medicaid Income Limits by State 2024

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Medicaid Income Limits by State 2024

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Medicaid Income Limits by State 2024

Sources