What Is Medicaid?
Medicaid is a joint federal and state health insurance program that provides free or very low-cost health coverage to people with limited incomes. It covers over 80 million Americans — making it the largest health insurer in the US.
Who Qualifies?
- Expansion states: Adults with incomes up to 138% FPL (~$20,783/year single in 2025)
- Non-expansion states: More restrictive — typically limited to parents, pregnant women, disabled individuals, and elderly
- Children: Typically covered to higher income levels through CHIP
Cost of Medicaid
For most recipients, Medicaid has:
- No monthly premiums
- No deductibles
- Very low or no copays
💡 Medicaid has no open enrollment period. You can apply any time of year if you qualify. Apply through your state's Medicaid agency or through HealthCare.gov.
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