How to Apply for Medicaid
Last updated September 10, 2026.
You can apply for Medicaid any time of year online at healthcare.gov, through your state Medicaid agency, or in person at local offices. Eligibility depends on income, household size, and whether your state expanded Medicaid. If approved, coverage typically starts the month you applied or the following month.
Who qualifies for Medicaid
Medicaid is the federal and state health insurance program for people with low income. Eligibility rules differ by state. In general, you may qualify if you are pregnant, have children under 19, are 65 or older, have a disability, or meet income limits as a low-income adult.
Income limits are based on the federal poverty level and your household size. States measure income as modified adjusted gross income, which includes wages, Social Security, unemployment, and most other taxable income. Asset tests do not apply to most Medicaid categories anymore.
Children and pregnant people typically qualify at higher income levels than adults. For example, children may qualify in families earning up to 200 to 300 percent of the poverty level, depending on the state. Adults without children face stricter limits in states that did not expand Medicaid.
How Medicaid expansion changed eligibility
The Affordable Care Act allowed states to expand Medicaid to all adults with incomes up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level, roughly $20,780 for one person or $43,000 for a family of four in 2024. Forty states and DC have adopted expansion. Ten states have not.
In expansion states, most adults qualify regardless of whether they have children, are pregnant, or have a disability. In non-expansion states, adults without children often do not qualify unless they are elderly, disabled, or pregnant, even if their income is very low.
If you live in a non-expansion state and your income is too high for traditional Medicaid but below 100 percent of poverty, you fall into a coverage gap. You will not qualify for Medicaid or for subsidies on the marketplace. Some non-expansion states have limited programs for specific groups.
How to apply for Medicaid online
The fastest way to apply is online at healthcare.gov or your state Medicaid agency website. The healthcare.gov application covers Medicaid and marketplace insurance. The system checks your eligibility and routes you to the right program.
You will need your Social Security number, household income information for the past month or year, and immigration documents if you are not a US citizen. Lawfully present immigrants can qualify for Medicaid in most cases, though some face waiting periods.
After you submit the application, the state Medicaid agency reviews it. Most states decide within 45 days, or 90 days if you applied based on disability. Some states give a decision in a few days. You can check application status online or by calling the state agency.
Applying in person or by phone
You can apply in person at your local Medicaid office, community health center, or hospital. Many federally qualified health centers have enrollment assisters who help with the application at no charge. Find a health center at findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov.
You can also call your state Medicaid agency or the healthcare.gov hotline at 1-800-318-2596. The call center can start an application over the phone and mail you forms to complete. Some states accept paper applications downloaded from their websites.
In-person help is available from navigators, certified application counselors, and agents or brokers. These are free services. No one can charge you to apply for Medicaid. If you need language help, interpreters are provided by phone or in person.
When coverage starts
If approved, Medicaid coverage usually starts the first day of the month you applied, or the following month if you applied late in the month. Some states provide up to three months of retroactive coverage for medical bills you had before applying, if you were eligible during those months.
You will receive a Medicaid card in the mail, typically within two weeks of approval. You can often start using coverage before the card arrives by calling the state agency for your ID number. Providers can verify your enrollment immediately.
Medicaid has no waiting period and no open enrollment period. You can apply any month of the year. If your income or household changes after you enroll, report the change to your state agency. You may need to renew your coverage once a year by confirming your income and household information.
What Medicaid covers
Medicaid covers doctor visits, hospital care, lab tests, prescription drugs, mental health and substance use treatment, and preventive care at no cost or very low cost. Most states charge no premiums and no copays for people below certain income levels.
Coverage includes emergency care, pregnancy and newborn care, and long-term services and supports for people with disabilities. Dental and vision coverage for adults varies by state. Children receive comprehensive dental, vision, and hearing services through Medicaid.
If you have questions about what your state plan covers, call your state Medicaid agency or look up the benefits on your state's Medicaid website. Each state runs its own program within federal guidelines, so specific benefits and cost sharing differ.
Common questions
Can I apply for Medicaid any time of year?
Yes. Medicaid has no open enrollment period. You can apply any month of the year and coverage can start as soon as you are approved. If your situation changes, such as losing a job or having a baby, apply right away.
How long does it take to get approved for Medicaid?
Most states decide within 45 days of your application. If you applied based on disability, the state has up to 90 days. Some states approve applications in a few days. You can check your application status online or by calling your state Medicaid agency.
What if my state did not expand Medicaid?
In non-expansion states, eligibility is limited to certain groups such as children, pregnant people, elderly adults, and people with disabilities. Low-income adults without children often do not qualify. If your income is very low, you may fall into a coverage gap with no affordable options. Contact your state Medicaid office to ask about any limited programs available.
Does Medicaid count my assets or savings?
For most Medicaid categories, assets do not matter. Eligibility is based on income and household size. Asset tests still apply for some long-term care programs and for certain groups such as elderly or disabled adults in some states. The standard expansion and children's programs do not have asset limits.
Do I pay premiums or copays with Medicaid?
Most people on Medicaid pay nothing. Some states charge small premiums or copays for adults above certain income levels, usually a few dollars per visit or prescription. Children and pregnant people generally have no cost sharing. Check with your state plan for details.
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