Understand Medicaid eligibility before you apply anywhere
We explain how Medicaid, CHIP, and the ACA marketplace actually fit together, in plain English, so you know which door to knock on first. We are an independent educational site — not Medicaid.gov, not a state Medicaid agency, and not affiliated with any government program in the United States.
What are you trying to figure out right now?
Six ways into the same set of programs
Pick the one that matches what you're actually trying to figure out right now.
How eligibility works by state
Income, household size, and expansion status all matter.
Check the rules →Medicaid or the marketplace?
What happens if your income is too high for Medicaid.
Compare the two →Renewal and redetermination
Why so many people lose coverage without becoming ineligible.
Understand renewal →Get organized before you apply anywhere
Two simple, private tools — a readiness checklist and a coverage-gap scenario — to help you prepare, never to determine your eligibility.
Readiness checklist
A quick self-check to see whether you have what you need before you start a Medicaid, CHIP, or marketplace application.
Assumptions this uses
- Each item reflects a step most state Medicaid agencies expect before an application is considered complete
- This checklist does not submit anything anywhere — it is a private, on-page self-check only
- Checking every box does not mean you will be found eligible — only your state Medicaid agency can determine that
Limitations: This does not account for your specific state's exact document list, does not verify anything you enter, and cannot determine your actual eligibility.
Runs entirely in your browser.
Have these five things ready before you start a Medicaid or marketplace application
Proof of identity (driver's license or state ID), proof of income for everyone in your household (recent pay stubs or a tax return), proof of residency in your state, Social Security numbers for household members applying, and immigration documentation where relevant. Having these ready before you start means you're far less likely to get a request-for-information notice asking for something you could have submitted the first time.
Ask about Medicaid, CHIP, and marketplace terms
A plain-English assistant for Medicaid and CHIP terminology and preparation — it does not determine your eligibility or process an application.
Get help understanding Medicaid and CHIP
Send us what you're stuck on. We'll reply with plain-English context and point you to the right official resource — we don't process applications or make eligibility decisions.
Nothing you send here goes anywhere near your actual Medicaid or marketplace application — this is just a question to us.
Partner link — we may be paid a fee at no cost to you. How we make money.
If your income is above the Medicaid line in your state
Once you understand how your state's eligibility rules work — see our state-by-state guide first — comparing subsidized marketplace plans is a reasonable next step for households that don't qualify for Medicaid.
Compare marketplace plans →The Medicaid and CHIP Application Prep Kit
A practical, printable kit covering Medicaid and CHIP application preparation, how to read an official notice, and the questions worth asking before you apply. Built for households who want to walk in prepared, not for any specific state or enrollment cycle.
Where a marketplace plan can genuinely fit
These are private health insurance marketplaces, not Medicaid or any government program. They only make sense for households that have already checked their state's Medicaid and CHIP eligibility and understand what these plans do and don't cover.
How we make money: some links here are partner or affiliate links and we may be paid a fee at no cost to you. It never changes what we write or how options are ordered — see our disclosure and methodology.
GoHealth — health insurance marketplace
A licensed marketplace that helps compare ACA-subsidized private plans for households whose income is above their state's Medicaid line.
Compare marketplace plans →Medicaid and CHIP: Frequently Asked Questions
No hedging, no upsell. Where the honest answer is 'it depends,' we say exactly what it depends on.
Is medicaid.id a government website?
No. We are an independent, privately run educational site. We are not affiliated with Medicaid.gov, CMS, or any state Medicaid agency, and we do not process applications or make eligibility determinations. Always apply directly through your state Medicaid agency or Healthcare.gov.
What's the difference between Medicaid and Medicare?
Medicaid is a joint federal-state program based mainly on income and household size, available to eligible people of any age. Medicare is a federal program based mainly on age (65 and up) or certain disabilities, and is not income-based. Some people qualify for both, called being 'dual eligible.'
Do I need to be very low income to get Medicaid?
It depends heavily on your state. In states that adopted Medicaid expansion, adults generally may qualify with household income up to around 138% of the federal poverty level. In non-expansion states, the income limits for adults without dependent children are typically much lower, or coverage may not exist for that group at all. Check your specific state's current limits before assuming either way.
What is CHIP and how is it different from Medicaid?
The Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) covers children in households whose income is too high to qualify for Medicaid but who still can't easily afford private coverage. Each state sets its own CHIP income limits, and in many states, CHIP is administered together with Medicaid so families apply through the same portal.
If I don't qualify for Medicaid, what are my options?
The ACA marketplace at Healthcare.gov is the main alternative, offering subsidized private insurance based on your income. Many people just above the Medicaid line qualify for significant premium tax credits on marketplace plans, so it's worth checking even if Medicaid isn't available to you.
What documents do I need to apply for Medicaid?
Typically proof of identity, proof of income for your household (pay stubs or a tax return), proof of state residency, Social Security numbers, and immigration documentation where relevant. Exact requirements vary by state, so check your state Medicaid agency's application checklist directly.