How to Apply for Medicaid
MedicaidState + federal health coverage for low income — Free or very low-cost health coverage run by states with federal money. Eligibility varies by state.Click for official info ↗ is free or very low-cost health coverage for low-income people. Apply through healthcare.gov or your state agency any time of year — there is no enrollment window. Eligibility depends on your state: expansion states cover most adults under about $20,000/year income; non-expansion states mainly cover children, pregnant women, elderly, and disabled people.
The Steps
Follow these in order
Each card shows the phase, expected time, and any cost. Data checked against official US sources(2025-Latest).
0 of 5 steps
- Before You Go 15 min
Understand your state's rules
40 states + DC expanded MedicaidState + federal health coverage for low income — Free or very low-cost health coverage run by states with federal money. Eligibility varies by state.Click for official info ↗: adults 19–64 qualify with income under about $20,120/year (single) regardless of disability or children. Non-expansion states (mostly the South) have far tighter limits for adults — parents may need income under about $8,000/year. Children qualify at higher incomes everywhere via CHIP.
Click to mark as done
- Fill / Prepare 45–60 min
Apply through healthcare.gov or your state
Healthcare.gov routes you to your state's application (some states run their own). The application covers MedicaidState + federal health coverage for low income — Free or very low-cost health coverage run by states with federal money. Eligibility varies by state.Click for official info ↗ AND CHIP AND marketplace subsidies in one shot — fill it out even if unsure; the system determines what you qualify for. Apply any day of the year.
Click to mark as done
- Submit & Pay
Provide verification documents
The state agency asks for proofs: income (pay stubs), identity, citizenship/immigration status, and pregnancy if applicable. Upload through the portal or mail copies. Respond quickly — applications pend 45 days and close if documents are missing at the deadline.
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- Wait Up to 45 days
Get the determination and enrollment packet
Approval letters explain your coverage start date, your managed-care plan choices (most states auto-assign a plan — you can switch within 30 days), and your doctor network. Denials explain exactly why and how to appeal.
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- Follow Up
Renew every 12 months
MedicaidState + federal health coverage for low income — Free or very low-cost health coverage run by states with federal money. Eligibility varies by state.Click for official info ↗ now requires annual renewals (paused during COVID). Your state mails a renewal form about 45 days before your deadline — return it even if nothing changed. Missing the renewal is the top reason people lose coverage while still eligible.
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
I am a lawful permanent resident. When can I get Medicaid?
Most green cardPermanent Resident Card — The ID card proving lawful permanent resident status — live and work in the US permanently.Click for official info ↗ holders must wait 5 years (some states waive it for children and pregnant women). Refugees, asylees, and other humanitarian entrants qualify immediately. Emergency MedicaidState + federal health coverage for low income — Free or very low-cost health coverage run by states with federal money. Eligibility varies by state.Click for official info ↗ covers emergency care regardless of immigration status. Using MedicaidState + federal health coverage for low income — Free or very low-cost health coverage run by states with federal money. Eligibility varies by state.Click for official info ↗ before you are eligible can be a public-charge problem — emergency care is exempt.
Is Medicaid the same as Medicare?
No. MedicareFederal health insurance for 65+ — The federal health insurance program mainly for people 65 and older, plus some younger people with disabilities.Click for official info ↗ is for 65+ and disabled people regardless of income (premiums apply). MedicaidState + federal health coverage for low income — Free or very low-cost health coverage run by states with federal money. Eligibility varies by state.Click for official info ↗ is income-based and free/cheap. Some people qualify for both ("dual eligible") — MedicaidState + federal health coverage for low income — Free or very low-cost health coverage run by states with federal money. Eligibility varies by state.Click for official info ↗ then covers what MedicareFederal health insurance for 65+ — The federal health insurance program mainly for people 65 and older, plus some younger people with disabilities.Click for official info ↗ does not, including long-term care.
My income is slightly too high for Medicaid. What now?
You likely qualify for a subsidized marketplace plan instead — the same healthcare.gov application routes you there automatically, with premiums as low as $0–$50/month after tax credits. CHIP covers kids in families earning too much for MedicaidState + federal health coverage for low income — Free or very low-cost health coverage run by states with federal money. Eligibility varies by state.Click for official info ↗.
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