Medicaid covers people in specific groups, not everyone below a certain income
Medicaid is not a single program that covers all low-income people. It is a joint federal and state program, which means each state sets its own rules about who is covered. You are more likely to be covered if you are a child, pregnant, a parent of a dependent child, elderly, or disabled. Income matters, but it is not the only factor — your age, family structure, immigration status, and state of residence all affect whether you fit into a group your state's Medicaid program covers.
The federal government sets a floor — a minimum set of people states must cover — but states can and do cover additional groups. This means two people with identical income and family size may have different Medicaid coverage depending on which state they live in. Understanding your own situation requires knowing both the federal baseline and your specific state's rules.
Key Takeaways
- Medicaid covers children, pregnant people, parents of dependent children, elderly people, and people with disabilities in every state, though income limits vary by state and family size.
- Some states have expanded Medicaid to cover adults without children or disabilities up to a certain income; others have not, creating a coverage gap in those states.
- Immigration status matters — U.S. citizens and certain legal residents are covered, but undocumented immigrants are generally not, with limited exceptions for emergency care.
- Your state's Medicaid office is the only source that can tell you whether you fit into a covered group in your state; income calculators and online tools give estimates only.
Children and pregnant people
Every state covers children under 19 whose family income is at or below a certain threshold. That threshold varies by state — some states cover children in families earning up to 200% of the federal poverty line, others go higher. A child whose parent earns $30,000 a year might be covered in one state and not in another.
Pregnant people are covered in every state during pregnancy and for a period after birth (usually 60 days, though some states extend this). You do not need to have been covered before you became pregnant. Income limits for pregnant people are often higher than for other adults, and some states have no income limit at all for this group.
Parents and caretakers of dependent children
States must cover parents and caretakers of dependent children, but the income limit is set by each state and is often quite low — sometimes as low as 30% of the federal poverty line. This means a parent earning $10,000 a year might be covered in one state but not another. Some states have raised this limit significantly; others have not.
A "dependent child" is usually defined as a child under 18 or 19 living with you. The child does not have to be your biological child — stepchildren, grandchildren, and other relatives you are raising may count, depending on your state's rules.
Elderly and disabled people
People 65 and older are covered by Medicaid in every state if their income and assets fall below the state's limit. The income limit is usually higher for elderly people than for working-age adults. Assets matter too — you may have some savings and still be covered, but the limit is low (often $2,000 for a single person).
People under 65 with disabilities are also covered in every state, but the definition of disability is strict. You must have a condition that is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death, and it must prevent you from working. Receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) usually means you meet this definition, but not always. Your state's Medicaid office determines disability status for Medicaid purposes separately from the Social Security Administration.
The Medicaid expansion and the coverage gap
In 2014, the Affordable Care Act allowed states to expand Medicaid to cover adults without children or disabilities up to 138% of the federal poverty line. As of 2024, some states have adopted this expansion and some have not. In expansion states, a single adult with no children earning up to roughly $18,000 a year may be covered. In non-expansion states, that same person would not be covered by Medicaid at all.
This creates a coverage gap: people who earn too much for their state's traditional Medicaid but too little to afford private insurance or may have access to for subsidies. If you are an adult without children or disabilities and your state has not expanded Medicaid, you may have no coverage option through Medicaid regardless of your income. Your state's Medicaid office can tell you whether expansion applies where you live.
Immigration status and Medicaid coverage
U.S. citizens are covered by Medicaid if they meet the other requirements (income, age, family structure, or disability status). Certain legal residents — including lawful permanent residents (green card holders) and refugees — are also covered, though some states have restrictions on how long after arrival a legal resident can be covered.
Undocumented immigrants are generally not covered by Medicaid, with narrow exceptions: emergency services, pregnancy-related care, and care for children under 19 in some states. If you are unsure of your immigration status or how it affects your coverage, your state's Medicaid office can answer this question confidentially.
How to learn about you are covered in your state
Your state's Medicaid office is the only source that can tell you definitively whether you fit into a covered group. You can find your state's office through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services website (cms.gov), which lists contact information for every state. You can also call 211 (a free referral service) and ask for your state's Medicaid office.
When you contact your state's office, have ready your age, family size, household income, immigration status, and any disabilities or chronic conditions. The office may ask you to provide documents — a birth certificate, proof of income, a lease or utility bill showing where you live. Some states let you start the process online; others require a phone call or in-person visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Medicaid cover people who are working?
Yes. Medicaid is based on income, not employment status. A working parent earning $25,000 a year might be covered in a state with a higher income limit for parents. Some states also have Medicaid programs specifically for working people with disabilities. Your state's Medicaid office can tell you whether your income and work status fit into a covered group.
If I am covered in one state, am I covered if I move?
No. Medicaid is state-based, so your coverage ends when you move. You will need to contact your new state's Medicaid office to find out whether you fit into a covered group there. Some states have different income limits and rules, so you may be covered in one state but not another. explore in your new state as soon as you move.
Does having a job that offers health insurance disqualify me from Medicaid?
No. Medicaid does not care whether you have access to employer insurance. If your income is low enough and you fit into a covered group (parent, child, elderly, disabled), you can be covered by Medicaid even if your employer offers a plan. Some people use Medicaid as a supplement to employer coverage.
Can I be covered if I have a criminal record?
Yes. Medicaid does not have criminal history requirements. Your may be able to access is based on income, age, family structure, disability status, and immigration status — not on your past. If you fit into a covered group in your state, a criminal record does not disqualify you.
What if my income changes after I am covered?
You must report income changes to your state's Medicaid office. If your income rises above your state's limit for your group, your coverage may end. If your income drops, you may become newly covered or move into a different covered group. Most states let you report changes online, by phone, or by mail. Check your Medicaid card or your state's website for how to report.