The amount of money that you can make as a single adult and still get Medicaid is up to $22,025.00 per year ($1,836.00 per month) in most U.S. States.
The threshold on the amount of money you can make and still get Medicaid applies to the 40 states and Washington, DC, who have adopted the Affordable Care Act OR ACA, Medicaid Expansion.
Although due to Medicaid being run jointly by federal as well as state governments, the exact amount that you can make also varies dramatically depending on the state you are looking at and your specific life situation.
If you look at an expansion state, the eligibility for Medicaid is also based purely on your Modified Adjusted Gross Income and so there is no asset or saving test for standard adults.
The 138% FPL Rule: In these states, the 2026 limits are roughly $22,025.00/year for an individual and $45,540.00/year for a family of four.
State Exceptions:
Alaska & Hawaii: These states have a higher baseline Federal Poverty Level due to the cost of living.
For example, a single adult in Hawaii can make up to $25,337.00/year.
Washington, D.C.: Historically allows the highest income limits in the nation, though they recently transitioned adults earning between 138% and 200% FPL to a specialized Healthy DC Basic Health Program.
However, in the 10 states that have refused full ACA expansion, childless adults generally cannot get Medicaid at all, no matter how little money they make.
To qualify for Medicaid in these states, you must alsoe be a parent, pregnant, a child, elderly, or disabled.
The Non-Expansion List: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Stricter Limits: For parents in these states, the income limit is brutally low—sometimes capped at just 13% to 30% of the poverty level.
The "Partial" Exceptions:
Wisconsin: Covers adults up to 100% of the FPL (~$15,960/year) but has not formally adopted the full federal expansion.
Georgia: Operates a "Pathways to Coverage" program up to 100% FPL, but it explicitly requires adults to prove they work at least 80 hours per month.
The special limits across all states for Medicaid include.
Pregnant Individuals & Children: Most states set much higher limits for these groups, often allowing families to earn anywhere from 200% to 400% FPL through Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
Aged, Blind, or Disabled (Non-MAGI): For seniors (65+) or individuals with disabilities, eligibility is tied to the SSI Federal Benefit Rate rather than standard expansion rules.
As of 2026, the baseline income limit is $994.00/month for an individual, and an asset limit (usually $2,000) applies.
Long-Term Care / Nursing Homes: For individuals requiring nursing home care, most states utilize a much higher income cap of $2,982.00/month in 2026.
If your income is higher, many states allow a "Spend-Down" program or a "Miller Trust" to help you legally qualify by subtracting your medical bills.