Alaska Medicaid Income Limits (2026)

Alaska Medicaid covers roughly 231,000 Alaskans as of early 2026, or about 31% of the state's population. Alaska expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act on September 1, 2015, extending coverage to adults ages 19 to 64 with incomes up to 138% of the Alaska Federal Poverty Level. What makes Alaska Medicaid distinctive is the state's higher FPL baseline: the 2026 Alaska FPL for a single person is $19,950 compared to $15,960 in the contiguous 48 states, and the per-person household increment is $7,100 compared to $5,680. The practical result is that the 2026 138% FPL adult Medicaid threshold reaches $27,531 for a single Alaskan and $56,925 for a family of four, substantially higher in dollar terms than the equivalent thresholds in the lower 48. The Alaska Department of Health (DOH) administers the program through the Division of Public Assistance (DPA).

Alaska Medicaid eligibility divides into Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) categories and asset-tested categories. MAGI categories cover the three largest groups: adults ages 19-64 (138% Alaska FPL), children birth through age 18 (208% Alaska FPL), and pregnant women (230% Alaska FPL). These MAGI groups have no asset test; only income is evaluated. Asset-tested categories cover aged adults 65 and older, blind individuals, and people with disabilities who qualify under SSI-related rules, as well as people needing long-term care services. Because Alaska is geographically remote and has very sparse provider networks outside Anchorage and Fairbanks, the state has invested heavily in telehealth. Alaska Medicaid covers telehealth services broadly, including many behavioral health, primary care, and specialist visits conducted over video or phone, which can be critical for residents in rural and bush communities far from physical clinic locations.

Alaska Medicaid covers a comprehensive set of services including doctor visits, hospital care, prescription drugs, dental care, mental health and substance use disorder treatment, and long-term care. Alaska's Medicaid managed care landscape uses the Coordinated Care demonstration and the Alaska Tribal Health Compact for Alaska Native and American Indian members, who can also access Indian Health Service (IHS) facilities. For elderly and disabled members who need home- and community-based services, Alaska operates several 1915(c) waiver programs. Understanding which Alaska Medicaid income threshold applies to your household is the first step. The table below shows 2026 income limits by household size for adults, children, and pregnant women, all calculated using the Alaska-specific FPL. Per ASPE guidance at aspe.hhs.gov, the 2026 Alaska FPL base is $19,950 and the per-person increment is $7,100.

Alaska Medicaid (Division of Public Assistance) income limits by household size (2026)

Alaska Medicaid income limits 2026 by household size. Adult column = ACA expansion threshold (138% Alaska FPL). Children column = Alaska children's Medicaid limit (208% Alaska FPL). Pregnancy column = Alaska pregnant women Medicaid limit (230% Alaska FPL). Alaska uses a higher FPL than the contiguous 48 states: $19,950 base for one person, plus $7,100 per additional household member.

Alaska Medicaid (Division of Public Assistance) eligibility requirements (non-income)

Alaska Medicaid eligibility depends on income, residency, and categorical group. Income is the primary gate for the three MAGI categories (adults, children, pregnant women); the asset test applies only to the aged, blind, and disabled (ABD) and long-term care categories. Below are the non-income criteria that apply across all Alaska Medicaid populations.

• Alaska residency: The applicant must be a current resident of Alaska with intent to remain. Temporary visitors, tourists, and people in Alaska only for work do not qualify. Residency is established by a physical Alaska address and supporting documentation such as a lease, utility bill, or mail received at an Alaska address.
• Citizenship and immigration status: U.S. citizens and nationals qualify. Lawful permanent residents (green card holders) who arrived before August 22, 1996, qualify immediately; those who arrived after August 22, 1996, must satisfy a 5-year waiting period before most Medicaid categories are available. Refugees, asylees, and certain other humanitarian immigration statuses may qualify sooner. Undocumented individuals do not qualify for full Alaska Medicaid but may receive emergency Medicaid services for life-threatening conditions.
• Social Security Number: All applicants for whom coverage is requested must provide a Social Security Number (SSN) or proof that an SSN has been applied for. Applicants without an SSN can still apply on behalf of household members who have one. This requirement does not prevent emergency Medicaid from being provided.
• Household composition: Alaska Medicaid uses MAGI household-composition rules for the three main categories (adults, children, pregnant women). The MAGI household generally aligns with the tax filing unit plus any non-filer dependents. Married couples living together are counted together. For children, a parent's income is counted even if the parent is not applying. For adults, the household is defined more narrowly based on how they would file taxes.
• Asset test (ABD and long-term care only): MAGI categories (adults, children, pregnant women) have no asset or resource test since the ACA. Aged, blind, and disabled (ABD) categories use the SSI-linked asset test: $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple as the federal floor. Some Alaska-specific programs may have higher asset allowances. For nursing facility Medicaid, Alaska enforces the 60-month lookback period for asset transfers, and community-spouse resource allowances apply.
• Age and category: Adults ages 19-64 qualify under the ACA expansion group at 138% Alaska FPL with no other categorical requirement (they do not need to have children, be disabled, or be pregnant). Children birth through age 18 qualify at up to 208% Alaska FPL. Pregnant women qualify at up to 230% Alaska FPL; postpartum coverage continues for 12 months after the end of the pregnancy under the federal continuous postpartum coverage rule effective April 2022. Adults 65 and older qualify under aged categories subject to the asset test.
• Other health coverage: Having job-based or private insurance does not automatically disqualify an applicant from Alaska Medicaid. However, Alaska Medicaid is the payer of last resort; other insurance pays first. Applicants enrolled in Medicare may qualify for Alaska Medicaid as dual-eligibles or for Medicare Savings Programs administered through the DPA. Enrollment in employer-sponsored insurance that meets minimum value standards does not prevent qualification for ABD categories.

What income counts for Alaska Medicaid (Division of Public Assistance)

Alaska Medicaid uses Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) rules to calculate income for the adult, children, and pregnant-women categories. MAGI is roughly equal to the adjusted gross income (AGI) on a federal tax return, with a few additions and subtractions. Alaska does not apply a state-specific 5% disregard on top of the federal MAGI rules for adults (unlike some states that use the federal optional 5% disregard to raise the effective threshold to approximately 143% FPL). Verifying what counts toward the MAGI calculation is essential before assuming you fall above or below the threshold.

Income sources included

• Wages, salaries, and tips from employment (W-2 income) for all household members. This includes overtime pay, bonuses, and any other earned compensation from an employer.
• Net self-employment earnings (revenue minus ordinary and necessary business expenses), reported on Schedule C or Schedule F. This includes freelance income, gig-economy earnings, and income from a sole proprietorship or partnership.
• Unemployment compensation, including regular state unemployment benefits and any federal supplemental unemployment benefits. All unemployment payments received in the year are counted.
• Social Security retirement and survivor benefits (the taxable portion included in AGI). Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits are also counted toward MAGI income. Note: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is NOT counted, even though SSDI is.
• Interest and dividend income, including taxable interest from bank accounts, bonds, and certificates of deposit, and dividends from stocks and mutual funds. Capital gain distributions from mutual funds are also included.
• Capital gains from the sale of assets (stocks, real estate, other investments). Both short-term and long-term capital gains are included in MAGI. Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) payments: the PFD is treated as investment income and counts toward MAGI.
• Pension and retirement distributions from 401(k) plans, IRAs, 403(b) plans, and similar accounts, including both the taxable and (for Roth conversions) some nontaxable portions. Traditional IRA and 401(k) distributions are fully counted; qualified Roth distributions are excluded.
• Rental income (net of allowable expenses). Alaska residents who rent out property, including short-term rental income, must include net rental income in their MAGI calculation. Rental losses can offset other income only within the passive activity limits.

Income sources excluded

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI): SSI payments are explicitly excluded from MAGI income even though SSDI is counted. SSI recipients in Alaska are automatically eligible for Alaska Medicaid without a separate income determination.
• Child support received: Payments received as child support from a noncustodial parent are not counted as income for the MAGI household.
• Veterans' benefits: VA disability compensation, GI Bill educational benefits, and VA pension payments are not counted as MAGI income. This exclusion is particularly significant in Alaska, which has a large per-capita veteran population.
• Workers' compensation: Payments received for a work-related injury or illness are excluded from MAGI income.
• Gifts, inheritances, and life insurance proceeds: One-time transfers such as gifts from family members, bequests, and life insurance death benefits are not counted as MAGI income.
• SNAP benefits, TANF cash assistance, and most other federal public assistance payments: Federal need-based benefit payments are not counted as income. This includes Alaska's TANF program (ATAP) and federal heating assistance (LIHEAP).

How to apply for Alaska Medicaid (Division of Public Assistance) in Alaska

Alaska Medicaid applications go through the Division of Public Assistance (DPA) within the Alaska Department of Health. The primary application channel is the ARIES Self-Service Portal (Alaska's Resource for Integrated Eligibility Services), which allows applicants to apply online, upload documents, and check case status 24 hours a day. Applications can also be submitted by phone at 1-800-478-7778 (toll-free statewide), in person at a DPA field office, or via a paper application mailed to DPA. One DPA application covers Medicaid, CHIP (Denali KidCare), SNAP, and other assistance programs, so there is no need to submit multiple separate applications if a household needs several programs.

1. 1. Gather documents before you start: photo ID for the head of household, Social Security Numbers or cards for everyone applying, proof of Alaska residency (lease, utility bill, or postmarked mail at an Alaska address), proof of citizenship or qualifying immigration status (birth certificate, U.S. passport, or permanent resident card), and income verification for the most recent 30 days (pay stubs, award letters, or a signed statement if income is zero).
2. 2. Create an account at the ARIES Self-Service Portal through myAlaska.gov or apply as a guest. If you prefer not to apply online, call DPA at 1-800-478-7778 Monday through Friday during business hours. The phone line has interpreter services available; ask for your language when you call.
3. 3. Complete the application: enter everyone in the household who needs coverage, report all income sources for the past 30 days, and list household expenses if requested. The ARIES portal guides you through each section and flags missing required fields before submission.
4. 4. Upload or submit supporting documents through the ARIES portal document upload feature. Accepted file types include PDF, JPG, PNG, DOCX, and common image formats. If you cannot upload documents electronically, mail or fax them to your local DPA office. DPA may also verify some information electronically through federal databases.
5. 5. Respond promptly to any request for additional information from DPA. The agency has 10 days after requesting information to receive a response before it may deny the case. Missing a request for additional information is one of the most common reasons applications are delayed or denied.
6. 6. Await the eligibility determination notice. DPA mails (and, if you opted in, emails) the decision. Standard applications are decided within 45 days; pregnancy applications are processed within 15 days under federal expedited-processing rules. If approved, your Medicaid card and managed care enrollment materials arrive separately.

Official portal: ARIES Self-Service Portal (myAlaska.gov)

Documents needed

• Photo ID for the head of household (Alaska driver's license, state ID card, U.S. passport, or tribal ID)
• Social Security Number or proof of pending SSN application for every household member applying for coverage
• Proof of Alaska residency: a current lease or rental agreement, a recent utility bill, a recent piece of postmarked mail, or a letter from a shelter or transitional housing program
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or qualifying immigration status (birth certificate, U.S. passport, Certificate of Naturalization, or Permanent Resident Card / Form I-551)
• Income verification: last 30 days of pay stubs for employed household members; award letters for Social Security, SSI, or pension income; self-employment profit and loss statement or most recent Schedule C; or a signed zero-income statement if no income
• For pregnant women: verification of pregnancy from a licensed health care provider (clinic note, letter, or Medicaid-approved pregnancy verification form)

Processing timeline: Standard Alaska Medicaid applications are decided within 45 days of the date of application. Pregnancy Medicaid applications receive expedited processing and are decided within 15 days under federal rules. Disability-based (ABD) applications can take 60-90 days because they require a medical disability determination. If DPA requests additional information, the clock pauses until the information is received.

Common reasons applications get denied

• Income exceeds the threshold for the applicant's category: the household's MAGI income is above 138% Alaska FPL for adults, above 208% Alaska FPL for children, or above 230% Alaska FPL for pregnant women. This is the most common reason for denial.
• Failure to provide requested documentation within the 10-day response window. DPA sends a notice requesting additional proof; if the household does not respond in time, the case is denied without prejudice (a new application can be filed).
• Failure to establish Alaska residency: the applicant cannot document a current Alaska address or shows evidence of residing in another state.
• Immigration status does not qualify: undocumented individuals and some visa categories do not meet the immigration status requirement for full Alaska Medicaid. Emergency Medicaid may still be available for acute conditions.
• Duplicate enrollment or active coverage in another state: if DPA finds the applicant is already enrolled in Medicaid in another state, the application will be held pending disenrollment in that state. A person can only be enrolled in one state's Medicaid at a time.

If your child's income is above the Alaska Medicaid limit: Denali KidCare (CHIP)

Alaska Medicaid covers children through age 18 with household income up to 208% of the Alaska FPL ($85,800 per year for a family of four in 2026). Children in households with income above that threshold may qualify for Denali KidCare, Alaska's Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Denali KidCare is administered by the same Division of Public Assistance that handles Medicaid, and applications go through the same ARIES portal at myAlaska.gov. Denali KidCare covers doctor visits, hospital care, dental, vision, hearing, immunizations, and mental health services. There is no asset test for Denali KidCare. Premiums are on a sliding scale based on income, and are generally low or zero for lower-income households. The same DPA application covers both Medicaid and Denali KidCare; DPA automatically considers both programs when you apply for children.

Compare Medicaid and CHIP income limits across all 50 states

If you are 65 or older with limited income: Alaska Medicare Savings Programs

Alaska runs three Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) for low-income Alaskans who are already enrolled in Medicare. These programs are administered through the Division of Public Assistance (DPA) and use Alaska-specific income thresholds that are higher than the national figures. For 2026, Alaska MSP monthly income limits are: Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) at $1,683 for individuals and $2,275 for couples (QMB covers Part A and Part B premiums, deductibles, and copays); Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) at $2,015 for individuals and $2,725 for couples (SLMB covers the Part B premium only); and Qualifying Individual (QI) at $2,265 for individuals and $3,064 for couples (QI also covers the Part B premium). Alaska MSP asset limits are $9,950 for individuals and $14,910 for couples living together. About 12 million Americans nationwide are dual-eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid. Apply through the ARIES portal at myAlaska.gov or by calling DPA at 1-800-478-7778.

Read the Medicare eligibility guide

Frequently Asked Questions