Michigan Medicaid income limits in 2024
Michigan Medicaid income limits depend on which program you are looking at and your household size. The state runs several Medicaid programs with different income thresholds. For most adults, the limit is 138% of the federal poverty level. For children, pregnant people, and people over 65, the limits are often higher. The exact dollar amount changes each year because the federal poverty level changes.
As of 2024, 138% of the federal poverty level for a single adult is approximately $1,876 per month in gross income. For a family of three, it is roughly $3,869 per month. These are the thresholds for standard adult Medicaid coverage in Michigan. If your income is below these amounts, you may be able to enroll. Income limits for other groups — children, seniors, people with disabilities — are calculated differently and are often higher.
Michigan counts gross income before taxes and deductions. The state looks at your household size as defined by the IRS, which usually means you and anyone you claim as a dependent. Income from wages, self-employment, Social Security, unemployment benefits, and child support all count toward the limit.
Key Takeaways
- Michigan Medicaid for adults has an income limit of 138% of the federal poverty level, which is roughly $1,876 per month for one person in 2024.
- Children, pregnant people, and seniors have higher income limits than working-age adults, so a household member may be covered even if the primary earner exceeds the adult limit.
- Michigan counts gross monthly income from all sources, including wages, self-employment, benefits, and child support.
- Income limits are recalculated each year when the federal poverty level updates, usually in January.
- You can check your household's income against the current limit by contacting the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services or using their online income calculator.
How Michigan calculates your household income
Michigan uses your gross monthly income, not your take-home pay. This means the state counts your income before taxes, insurance premiums, or other deductions come out of your paycheck. If you are self-employed, Michigan counts your net self-employment income (revenue minus business expenses) as reported on your tax return.
The state includes income from multiple sources: wages, salary, tips, self-employment, Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), unemployment benefits, workers' compensation, child support received, and certain other payments. If you live with others and they contribute to household expenses, their income may count too, depending on your relationship and whether they file taxes with you.
Michigan does not count certain income. For example, the state usually excludes the first $65 per month of earned income plus one-third of remaining earnings for people receiving SSI. Some one-time payments, like tax refunds or insurance settlements, may not count. The rules vary by program, so it is worth asking the caseworker whether a specific income source counts toward your limit.
Income limits by household size
The income limit rises as your household grows. A household includes you, your spouse (if you are married and living together), and anyone you claim as a dependent on your tax return. Michigan counts children living with you as household members even if you do not claim them on taxes, as long as they have no other source of support.
| Household Size | 138% of Federal Poverty Level (Monthly) |
|---|---|
| 1 person | Approximately $1,876 |
| 2 people | Approximately $2,523 |
| 3 people | Approximately $3,169 |
| 4 people | Approximately $3,816 |
| 5 people | Approximately $4,462 |
| 6 people | Approximately $5,109 |
These figures are approximate and based on 2024 federal poverty guidelines. The exact amounts may shift slightly if the federal poverty level is updated mid-year. For each additional household member beyond six, add roughly $647 per month to the limit.
Different income limits for different groups
Michigan Medicaid is not one program with one income limit. The state runs separate programs for children, pregnant and postpartum people, seniors, and people with disabilities. Each has its own income threshold.
Children under 19 can be covered up to 350% of the federal poverty level in Michigan — much higher than the adult limit. A child in a household earning up to roughly $4,900 per month (for a family of three) may be covered, even if the parents' income is too high for their own Medicaid.
Pregnant and postpartum people are covered up to 195% of the federal poverty level in Michigan. This means a pregnant person in a household with income up to roughly $2,600 per month (single person) may be covered for pregnancy-related care and postpartum coverage for up to 12 months after delivery.
People age 65 and older and people with disabilities may be covered under different programs with their own income rules. Some of these programs have higher limits or different counting rules. If you or a household member falls into one of these groups, ask the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services which program applies.
What happens if your income is slightly above the limit
If your income is above the Medicaid limit, you may still have other options. Michigan offers a Medicaid spend-down program: if your income is above the limit but you have high medical expenses, those expenses can reduce your countable income enough to make you may be able to access. This is most common for people with disabilities or chronic illnesses.
You may also be able to purchase coverage through the Michigan Health Insurance Marketplace (part of the federal exchange). If your income is between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level, you may be able to receive a tax credit that lowers your monthly premium. You can check your options at healthcare.gov or by calling 1-800-318-2596.
Some people above the Medicaid income limit but below 200% of poverty may be covered under a Medicaid waiver program if they have a disability or chronic condition. These programs are limited and have waiting lists, but they are worth asking about if standard Medicaid does not cover you.
How to report income changes to Michigan
If your income changes after you are enrolled in Medicaid, you must report it to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. You can report changes online through the MI Bridges system, by phone at 1-855-275-6424, or in person at your local Michigan Works office or family independence agency.
You have 10 days to report a change in income. If your income rises above the limit, your coverage may end, but the state will give you notice before that happens. If your income drops, you may become newly covered or your coverage category may change. Report changes promptly so your coverage stays accurate and you do not lose benefits unexpectedly.
Keep records of income changes — pay stubs, letters from employers, notices from Social Security, or other proof. When you report a change, the caseworker may ask for documentation. Having it ready speeds up the process.
When income limits change
Michigan updates its Medicaid income limits each January when the federal government releases the new federal poverty guidelines. The new limits usually take effect on January 1, though the state may phase in changes over a few weeks. If the poverty level rises, your income limit rises too. If it falls (rare), your limit falls.
The state notifies people enrolled in Medicaid if the change affects their coverage. If your income was just below the old limit and the limit rises, you stay covered. If the limit falls and your income is now above it, Michigan will send you a notice and usually give you time to report a change or appeal before coverage ends.
You can find the current year's income limits on the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services website or by calling their customer service line. The limits are also posted on the MI Bridges portal when you log in to check your case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Michigan count my spouse's income if we are married but file taxes separately?
Yes. Michigan counts the income of a spouse living in your household regardless of how you file taxes. If you are married and living together, both incomes count toward the household limit, even if you file separate tax returns or your spouse works under the table.
What if I get paid in cash or under the table?
Michigan counts all income, including cash wages and unreported income. You are required to report it honestly. If you receive cash income, the caseworker may ask how much you earn and may request documentation like receipts, bank deposits, or a statement from your employer. Underreporting income can result in overpayment recovery or program termination.
Does child support I receive count toward the income limit?
Yes. Child support received counts as income for Medicaid purposes. If you are receiving child support, include it in your total household income when you apply or report changes. If you are paying child support, it does not reduce your countable income.
Can I be covered if my income is above the limit but I have high medical bills?
Possibly, through the spend-down program. If your medical expenses are high enough, they can reduce your countable income below the limit. You must have incurred the expenses and have proof (medical bills, receipts). Contact the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to ask whether spend-down applies to your situation.
What if my income changes month to month because I work irregular hours?
Michigan averages your income over the past three months (or longer if you have been working less than three months). If you are newly employed, the state uses your current pay rate projected forward. If your hours are irregular, report your average monthly earnings. Keep pay stubs to show the caseworker how you calculated the average.