Medicaid covers people at any age, but the rules for who qualifies depend on your age group and your state

There is no minimum age to be on Medicaid — newborns can be covered from birth. There is also no maximum age. What changes is how much income and resources you can have and which programs within Medicaid you may reach. A child under 19 has different income limits than a parent, and both have different limits than someone over 65. Your state also sets its own thresholds within federal guidelines, so the exact cutoff depends on where you live.

The main age groups are: children under 19, parents and caretakers, pregnant people, adults aged 19 to 64, and people 65 and older. Each group has its own income ceiling. Additionally, people 65 and over and some younger people with disabilities can reach Medicare, which is separate from Medicaid but often works alongside it.

Key Takeaways

  • Medicaid has no age minimum or maximum, but income limits vary by age group and state.
  • Children under 19 typically have higher income limits than adults, meaning a family can earn more and still have children covered.
  • People 65 and older usually reach Medicare first, but may also be on Medicaid if their income and resources are low enough.
  • Pregnancy qualifies you for Medicaid in most states regardless of age, with its own income threshold separate from other groups.
  • Your state's specific income limits and rules determine coverage, so the same age and income may result in different outcomes in different states.

Medicaid for children under 19

Children under 19 are one of Medicaid's largest groups. Most states cover children in households earning up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level, though some go higher. This means a family can earn significantly more money and still have their children covered compared to what an adult alone could earn and remain on Medicaid.

A child does not need to be a U.S. citizen to be covered in most states, though documentation rules vary. Newborns born to a Medicaid-covered mother are typically covered automatically for the first year of life. After that, the family must report income and resources to keep the child enrolled.

Medicaid for pregnant people and new parents

Pregnancy is a separate category with its own income limit in every state. Most states cover pregnant people up to 185 to 200 percent of the federal poverty level, and some cover higher. You do not have to be a parent already or have other children to reach this program — pregnancy alone qualifies you.

Coverage typically continues for 60 days after the pregnancy ends, whether the outcome is birth, miscarriage, or abortion. After that period, you must reapply under a different category (such as parent, caretaker, or adult) to stay covered. Parents and caretakers of children under 19 have their own income limits, which vary widely by state — some states cover parents earning up to 100 percent of poverty, others up to 200 percent or more.

Medicaid for adults aged 19 to 64

Adults without children or caretaking responsibilities face the lowest income limits in most states. Before 2014, many states did not cover non-elderly, non-disabled adults at all. The Affordable Care Act allowed states to expand Medicaid to adults earning up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level, but not all states chose to do so.

If your state expanded Medicaid, you may be covered as an adult earning up to that threshold. If your state did not expand, you may have no Medicaid path unless you are pregnant, disabled, or a caretaker. Some non-expansion states have created their own programs with different names and rules, so checking your state's website directly is the only way to know what is available to you.

Medicaid for people 65 and older

People 65 and older are automatically may be able to access for Medicare, the federal health program for seniors. Medicare is not Medicaid, though the two programs often overlap. Most people on Medicare pay premiums and have copays, even though they earned the coverage through work history.

If you are 65 or older and your income and resources are low enough, you can be on both Medicare and Medicaid at the same time. Medicaid then covers costs that Medicare does not, such as long-term care and some copayments. Income and resource limits for people 65 and older are generally lower than for working-age adults, and they vary by state. Some states use the federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) limit, which is $943 per month for an individual in 2024, though this figure changes annually.

Medicaid for people with disabilities under 65

People under 65 with a disability or blindness can reach Medicaid through the SSI program. SSI has its own income and resource limits — currently $943 per month for an individual — and requires medical documentation that your condition meets the Social Security Administration's definition of disability. The process to prove disability can take months or years, and many initial applications are denied.

Some states also have Medicaid waiver programs that cover people with disabilities who earn more than SSI allows, though these programs often have waiting lists. A few states cover working people with disabilities under a separate program called Medicaid for Workers with Disabilities, which has higher income limits. These programs are state-specific and not available everywhere.

How to find your state's specific age and income rules

Because each state sets its own income limits within federal guidelines, the only accurate way to know whether you may have access to is to contact your state Medicaid office or use your state's online screening tool. Your state's health department website usually has a link to apply or to check your situation without formally applying.

You can also call 211 (a free helpline in most areas) and ask for your state's Medicaid office phone number and website. Have your age, household size, and approximate monthly income ready when you call. The staff can tell you in minutes whether your age and income fall within your state's current limits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a newborn be on Medicaid if the mother is not?

Yes. Newborns have their own income limits, which are usually higher than the parent's. A baby born to an uninsured mother can still be covered if the household income is low enough for the child's category. You will need to report the birth to your state Medicaid office to enroll the child.

Does age affect how long I can stay on Medicaid?

No. Medicaid has no time limit — you can stay on it for life as long as you continue to meet income and other requirements. However, your income limits and the programs available to you change as you age, so you may need to move to a different Medicaid category or lose coverage if your circumstances change.

What happens to my child's Medicaid when they turn 19?

Coverage ends on the last day of the month in which they turn 19, unless they may have access to under a different category (such as parent, caretaker, or adult). You must reapply under the adult category if they are still in your household and your family income is low enough. Many young adults lose coverage at this transition point.

If I am 65 and on Medicare, do I still need to apply for Medicaid?

You do not automatically get Medicaid when you turn 65 and reach Medicare. You must apply separately if you want Medicaid to cover costs Medicare does not. Your state's Medicaid office can tell you whether your income and resources are low enough to may have access to.

Can I be on Medicaid if I am over 65 and still working?

Yes, if your income is low enough. Being 65 or older does not disqualify you from work. Your income limit as a senior on Medicaid is usually based on the SSI threshold or your state's specific limit, which may be higher or lower depending on your state. Work income counts toward that limit.