If Money Is Tight, You May Already Qualify for Full Coverage.

Who qualifies for Medicaid in 2026?

Medicaid is jointly run by the federal government and your state, so the income cutoffs are set locally within federal rules. In the 41 states plus DC that expanded Medicaid under the ACA, most adults under age 65 qualify if their household income is at or below 138% of the Federal Poverty Level — roughly $1,732/month for a single adult in 2026. Non-expansion states use tighter rules, usually requiring you to be a parent, pregnant, disabled, or elderly to qualify at any income level. Children and pregnant people have higher income limits everywhere. There's no open enrollment window for Medicaid: you can apply any month of the year, and coverage can be retroactive up to 90 days when you qualify. Meet Assistance advisors know each state's specific rules and check them the same call.

What are the Medicaid income limits by household size?

These are 2026 approximate monthly limits for Medicaid expansion states (138% FPL). Non-expansion states have different rules for adults.

Can my kids get CHIP if I don't qualify for Medicaid?

Yes — CHIP is designed exactly for this gap. If your household income is a little too high for Medicaid, your children (and in many states, pregnant people) may still qualify for CHIP. CHIP covers doctor visits, dental, vision, prescriptions, hospital care, and mental health, and it typically costs $0–$50 per child per month depending on the state. Income limits for CHIP go up to about 200–400% of the Federal Poverty Level, meaning a family of four earning up to $60,000–$120,000/year may qualify for their kids' coverage depending on the state. If you're between jobs or your income dropped mid-year, apply now — CHIP can be retroactive too, and reviews happen annually rather than monthly.

What does Medicaid actually cover?

• Doctor visits and preventive care with no copay
• Hospital stays and emergency care
• Prescriptions (with modest or no copay)
• Mental health and substance use treatment
• Maternity care and newborn coverage
• Pediatric dental and vision
• Non-emergency medical transportation in many states
• Home and community-based services for people with disabilities

How do I apply for Medicaid or CHIP?

You can apply three ways: through your state's Medicaid agency directly, through Healthcare.gov (which forwards Medicaid-eligible applications to your state automatically), or with help from a certified assister like Meet Assistance. Applications typically take 15–45 days to process, though many states are faster. You'll need to provide income documentation (pay stubs, tax return, or a self-attestation if you're between jobs), proof of identity, proof of residency, and household member information. Most states no longer require you to prove citizenship if you attest to it. If you're approved, coverage often starts immediately and can be backdated up to 90 days to cover recent medical bills you already have.

What if I'm just over the income limit?

Then your kids likely qualify for CHIP, and you almost certainly qualify for a near-$0 marketplace plan through the enhanced subsidies still in place in 2026. Being $50 over the Medicaid limit doesn't mean you're stuck without options — the marketplace subsidy scale is designed to catch exactly this case. For a single adult earning around $2,000/month, a Silver-tier marketplace plan typically costs $40–$80/month after subsidy. Meet Assistance will check both Medicaid and marketplace in the same call, so you never have to guess which side of the line you're on.

Frequently asked questions