About Medicaid
Medicaid is a joint federal-state program that provides health coverage to eligible low-income individuals and families. Each state administers its own Medicaid program within federal guidelines, which is why eligibility rules, income limits, and program names vary by state.
Medicaid expansion under the ACA
As of 2026, 41 states and D.C. have expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. In expansion states, most adults with income up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level qualify for Medicaid. The 9 non-expansion states — Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Wyoming — have stricter rules and most non-disabled adults without dependent children do not qualify.
Who can qualify for Medicaid
- Children up to age 19 (income limits vary by state and age group)
- Pregnant women (most states cover up to 138–220% FPL)
- Adults ages 19–64 in expansion states (up to 138% FPL)
- Parents and caretaker relatives of dependent children
- Seniors age 65+ (different rules and asset limits apply)
- People with disabilities (different rules and asset limits apply)
Non-expansion states — coverage gap
Adults in non-expansion states who earn too much for traditional Medicaid but too little to qualify for ACA Marketplace subsidies (which start at 100% FPL) may fall into a coverage gap. If you're in this situation, check eligibility for your state's Medicaid categories, explore community health centers, or contact a Navigator for help at Healthcare.gov.