Medicaid covers people of all ages, but the rules for who qualifies depend on your age group and your state

There is no minimum age to receive Medicaid — newborns and infants are covered from birth in all states. There is also no maximum age. What changes based on your age is which category of Medicaid you fall into, and whether your income and assets matter for that category.

A newborn whose parent has no income may may have access to through a different pathway than a working parent, and a 65-year-old may may have access to through Medicare instead of or alongside Medicaid. Your state also sets its own income limits, so the same age and income level may may have access to in one state but not another.

Key Takeaways

  • Newborns and children under 19 are covered in all states if their household income is below their state's limit, which varies by state.
  • Pregnant people may have access to in most states regardless of age, and coverage continues for 60 days after the pregnancy ends in most places.
  • Adults aged 19 to 64 may have access to based on income, and income limits vary widely — some states cover adults earning up to 138% of the federal poverty line, while others cover far fewer.
  • People aged 65 and older usually may have access to for Medicare first, but may also may have access to for Medicaid if their income and assets are low enough.
  • Your state determines its own income and asset limits, so you must check your specific state's rules rather than relying on national figures.

Coverage for children and teenagers under 19

All 50 states must cover children under 19 whose household income falls below their state's limit. This is a federal requirement, so every state has this coverage — but the income threshold differs. Some states cover children in households earning up to 200% of the federal poverty line; others use a lower percentage.

A child does not need to have a job or income of their own. The program looks at the household income — usually the parent's or guardian's income — and compares it to the state's threshold. If the household is below that line, the child qualifies regardless of whether they have ever worked.

Medicaid for children also covers dental, vision, and mental health services in ways that adult coverage sometimes does not. The specific benefits vary by state, but federal law requires states to provide a broader set of services to children than to adults.

Coverage for pregnant people

Pregnant people may have access to for Medicaid in all states, and pregnancy does not require you to meet the same income limits as other adults. Most states cover pregnant people with household income up to 185% to 200% of the federal poverty line, which is higher than the limit for non-pregnant adults in many states.

Coverage begins as soon as you are determined to be pregnant and continues for 60 days after the pregnancy ends, whether the outcome is birth, miscarriage, or abortion. This 60-day window is called the postpartum period, and it applies in most states. A few states have extended this to 12 months, but you must check your state's rules.

You do not need to be a citizen or permanent resident to may have access to for pregnancy-related Medicaid in most states, though documentation rules vary. Contact your state's Medicaid office or a local health department to learn what documents you will need to bring.

Coverage for adults aged 19 to 64

Adults in this age group may have access to based on income, and the income limit depends on whether your state expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. States that expanded Medicaid cover adults earning up to 138% of the federal poverty line. States that did not expand cover far fewer adults — some only cover parents with very young children, and some cover almost no childless adults at all.

As of 2024, about 40 states have expanded Medicaid and about 10 have not. If you live in a non-expansion state and have no children, you may not may have access to for Medicaid at any income level. If you have children, you may may have access to, but the income limit is usually much lower than in expansion states.

Your state's Medicaid office can tell you the exact income limit for your household size and situation. Income limits also change year to year, so a figure that was true last year may not be true this year. The safest approach is to contact your state directly or use the online screening tool on your state's Medicaid website.

Coverage for people aged 65 and older

People aged 65 and older are may be able to access for Medicare, the federal health insurance program for seniors. However, you can have both Medicare and Medicaid at the same time if your income and assets are low enough. People with both programs are called dual may be able to access.

Medicaid for people over 65 covers services that Medicare does not, including long-term care, nursing home care, and some prescription drugs. If you are 65 or older and have limited income and assets, you may may have access to for Medicaid even if you already have Medicare. The income and asset limits are set by your state and are usually quite low.

You must be 65 or older to receive Medicare, but you can apply for both programs at the same time. If you turn 65, contact Social Security to apply for Medicare and your state's Medicaid office to ask about Medicaid. Some states have programs specifically for people who are both old and poor, with different names and slightly different rules.

How your state's income limit affects your age group

Federal law sets a floor — the minimum coverage each state must provide — but states can go higher. For children, all states must cover up to at least 133% of the federal poverty line, but many cover higher. For pregnant people, all states must cover up to at least 133%, but most go to 185% or 200%. For adults without children, the floor is much lower in non-expansion states.

The federal poverty line itself changes every year. In 2024, the poverty line for a single person was around $14,600 per year, and for a family of four around $30,000. But these figures change, and your state's percentage of the poverty line also matters. A state covering 138% of the poverty line in 2024 will cover a higher dollar amount in 2025.

The only way to know whether you may have access to is to check your state's current limits. Your state's Medicaid website has an income calculator, or you can call your state's Medicaid office and ask the income limit for your household size and situation.

Asset limits and how they vary by age

Most states do not count assets when determining Medicaid may be able to access for children, pregnant people, or working-age adults. However, for people aged 65 and older, assets do matter. If you are over 65 and applying for Medicaid, your state will look at how much money you have in the bank, the value of your home (with some exceptions), and other property.

Asset limits for seniors vary by state but are often around $2,000 for a single person and $3,000 for a couple. Your primary home is usually not counted, and a car is usually not counted. But savings, investments, and a second property may be counted toward the limit.

If you are under 65, asset limits rarely apply. This is one reason why Medicaid for working-age adults is easier to may have access to for than Medicaid for seniors — you can have substantial savings and still may have access to, as long as your income is below the limit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a newborn be on Medicaid if their parents make too much money?

No. Newborns and children may have access to based on household income, which usually means the parent's or guardian's income. If the household income is above your state's limit for children, the child does not may have access to, even if the child themselves has no income. Some states offer separate programs for children in families earning slightly above the Medicaid limit.

Does Medicaid cover people aged 18 to 19 differently than younger children?

No. People aged 18 and 19 are still covered under the children's category as long as they are under 19. They use the same income limit as younger children. Once they turn 19, they move to the adult category, which may have a different (usually lower) income limit depending on your state.

If I turn 65, do I lose my Medicaid?

Not automatically. If you were on Medicaid before turning 65, you may stay on Medicaid after turning 65 if you still meet the income and asset limits for seniors. However, you must also enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B when you turn 65. You can have both programs at the same time.

What happens if my income changes during the year?

You must report significant income changes to your state's Medicaid office. If your income rises above the limit, your coverage may end. If your income drops, you may become newly may be able to access. Most states allow you to report changes online, by phone, or by mail. The timing of when your coverage ends or begins depends on your state's rules.

Can I get Medicaid if I am a student?

Yes, if you meet the income requirements for your age group. Being a student does not disqualify you. However, if you are claimed as a dependent on your parent's tax return, your household income includes your parent's income, not just your own. If you are independent, only your income counts.