KanCare Income Limits (Kansas Medicaid, 2026)

KanCare is Kansas's integrated Medicaid managed care program, administered by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS). Launched in January 2013, KanCare contracts with three managed care organizations (MCOs) to coordinate physical health, behavioral health, and long-term services and supports for Medicaid members. Kansas is one of ten states that had not expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act as of 2026, meaning that the income-eligibility thresholds are dramatically lower than the 138% Federal Poverty Level standard used in expansion states. The 2026 Federal Poverty Level anchors every KanCare income threshold: $15,960 for a household of one and $33,000 for a household of four in the 48 contiguous states.

KanCare eligibility breaks into four distinct groups, each with its own income threshold. Parents and caretaker relatives of dependent children qualify only up to 38% FPL, approximately $505 per month for a single parent and $844 per month for a household of three, placing Kansas among the most restrictive parent-coverage states in the country. Pregnant women face a more generous 171% FPL limit, and coverage automatically extends 12 months postpartum. Children's eligibility varies by age: infants and toddlers under age 1 qualify at 171% FPL, children ages 1-5 at 154% FPL, and children ages 6-18 at 138% FPL. Above those children's Medicaid thresholds, Kansas HealthWave (the state's CHIP program) covers uninsured children up to 255% FPL. Aged, blind, and disabled adults use a separate income standard tied to SSI ($994 per month for an individual in 2026). Because Kansas has not expanded Medicaid, non-disabled childless adults ages 19-64 have no KanCare pathway regardless of how low their income is.

The household-size table below shows the 2026 KanCare income guidelines across the three main covered MAGI populations: adults (using 138% FPL as the canonical lookup threshold, though Kansas parents are actually capped at 38% FPL), children ages 6-18 (138% FPL), and pregnant women (171% FPL). Because Kansas has not expanded, the adult column represents what an expansion state would offer, not what Kansas currently covers, so the table note explains the real Kansas parent threshold. If your income is above the KanCare limit but below 400% FPL, you may qualify for ACA marketplace subsidies at Healthcare.gov. If you have a child whose income exceeds the children's KanCare limit, check Kansas HealthWave (CHIP) coverage up to 255% FPL. If you are 65 or older with limited income, the Medicare Savings Programs section below describes QMB, SLMB, and QI tiers.

KanCare (Kansas Medicaid) income limits by household size (2026)

The 2026 KanCare (Kansas Medicaid) income guidelines below are based on the 2026 Federal Poverty Level for the 48 contiguous states. Adult column = 138% FPL (the expansion standard; Kansas parents are actually capped at 38% FPL, so childless non-disabled adults are not covered). Children column = 138% FPL (KanCare for children ages 6-18; infants under age 1 qualify at 171% FPL, children ages 1-5 at 154% FPL; HealthWave CHIP extends to 255% FPL). Pregnancy column = 171% FPL. Add roughly $5,680 of annual income per additional household member beyond 8.

KanCare (Kansas Medicaid) eligibility requirements (non-income)

KanCare eligibility in 2026 requires meeting both categorical and income criteria. Categorical eligibility means you must fit into one of the covered groups (children, pregnant women, parents and caretaker relatives with dependent children, or aged/blind/disabled adults). Non-disabled childless adults ages 19-64 do not fit any covered group in Kansas, which is the defining characteristic of a non-expansion state. All applicants must also meet residency, citizenship, and identity verification requirements.

• Kansas residency: you must live in Kansas and intend to remain in the state. There is no minimum residency duration requirement. People experiencing homelessness who are present in Kansas qualify based on physical presence.
• Citizenship and immigration status: U.S. citizens and qualifying immigrants (lawful permanent residents, refugees, asylees, certain other categories) may qualify. Most lawful permanent residents are subject to a 5-year bar before qualifying for full Medicaid benefits, though emergency Medicaid is available regardless of status for life-threatening conditions and pregnancy-related emergency care.
• Social Security Number: all applicants seeking coverage for themselves must provide a Social Security Number or proof they have applied for one. Children applying for KanCare must also have or be applying for an SSN.
• Categorical group: you must belong to a covered population. Kansas covers children under 19, pregnant women, parents and caretaker relatives of dependent children (income at or below 38% FPL), aged adults (65+), blind adults, disabled adults meeting SSI standards, and people needing long-term care. Childless non-disabled adults ages 19-64 are not covered because Kansas did not adopt the ACA Medicaid expansion.
• Income limits by group (2026): parents and caretakers at or below 38% FPL ($505/month single parent); pregnant women at or below 171% FPL ($2,274/month); infants under age 1 at or below 171% FPL; children ages 1-5 at or below 154% FPL; children ages 6-18 at or below 138% FPL ($1,835/month for a household of one); aged/blind/disabled (ABD) adults at or below $994/month (individual) or $1,491/month (couple).
• Asset test: MAGI-based categories (children, pregnant women, and parents under the expansion framework) have no asset test. The asset test applies only to non-MAGI categories: ABD adults and long-term care Medicaid. For ABD Medicaid, the countable asset limit is $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple in 2026. For long-term care (nursing facility) Medicaid, the asset limit is $2,000 for an individual applicant, with a community spouse resource allowance of up to $162,660 for the non-applying spouse.
• Other health coverage: having other health insurance does not automatically disqualify you from KanCare, but KanCare is the payer of last resort. If you have employer-sponsored coverage, KanCare may pay cost-sharing but generally requires you to maintain the employer coverage if it is cost-effective.

What income counts for KanCare (Kansas Medicaid)

KanCare uses Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) methodology for children, pregnant women, and parent/caretaker relative groups. MAGI counts most taxable income but excludes certain government benefit payments. For aged, blind, and disabled adults (ABD Medicaid and long-term care), Kansas uses a non-MAGI income counting method that tracks more closely with SSI rules. Kansas does not apply the federal 5% MAGI disregard for parent and caretaker categories, meaning the published 38% FPL threshold is the effective limit with no additional buffer above it. Kansas KDHE administers the detailed MAGI income rules through the Kansas Family Medical Assistance Manual (KFMAM).

Income sources included

• Wages, salaries, and tips: all earned income from employment counted in full, including hourly wages, annual salary, overtime pay, bonuses, and tips reported to an employer.
• Self-employment income: net profit from self-employment or independent contractor work (gross receipts minus allowable business expenses) reported on Schedule C, Schedule F, or similar forms.
• Social Security retirement and survivor benefits (SSDI): the taxable portion of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Social Security retirement or survivor benefits is counted as MAGI income. SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is NOT counted.
• Investment income: interest, dividends, capital gains, and rental income are counted in full as MAGI income.
• Pension, retirement, and annuity distributions: distributions from IRAs, 401(k) plans, pension plans, and annuities are counted as MAGI income in the year received.
• Unemployment compensation: all state and federal unemployment insurance benefits are counted as MAGI income.
• Alimony received under pre-2019 divorce decrees: alimony received under divorce agreements finalized before January 1, 2019 is counted as MAGI income. Alimony from agreements finalized in 2019 or later is NOT counted following the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act change.

Income sources excluded

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI): SSI payments are explicitly excluded from MAGI. Do not include SSI payments when counting household income for KanCare MAGI categories.
• Child support received: child support payments received from an absent parent are excluded from MAGI income.
• Veterans' benefits: VA disability compensation, pension benefits, education benefits (GI Bill), and other veterans' payments are not counted as MAGI income.
• Workers' compensation: payments received as workers' compensation for job-related injuries or illnesses are excluded from MAGI income.
• TANF cash assistance: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash benefits are excluded from MAGI income.
• Gifts, inheritances, and loan proceeds: one-time receipts such as gifts, inheritances, and loan proceeds (including personal loans and student loans) are not counted as MAGI income.

How to apply for KanCare (Kansas Medicaid) in Kansas

KanCare applications are processed through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) via the online KEES Self Service Portal. The primary online portal is ApplyForKanCare.ks.gov, which also covers SNAP, TANF, and child care assistance under one application. Applications can also be submitted by phone at 1-800-792-4884 (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.), by mail to the KanCare Clearinghouse at PO Box 3599, Topeka, KS 66601, or in person at a local KDHE or Department for Children and Families (DCF) office. Managed care organizations (Aetna Better Health of Kansas, Sunflower Health Plan, and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan) deliver services but do not handle the initial eligibility determination.

1. 1. Gather required documents before you start: photo ID, Social Security Numbers for all applicants, proof of Kansas residency, proof of citizenship or immigration status, and income verification (pay stubs, tax returns, or benefit award letters).
2. 2. Go to ApplyForKanCare.ks.gov and create or log in to your KEES Self Service Portal account. Select the medical assistance application. You can also call 1-800-792-4884 to apply by phone with a KDHE caseworker.
3. 3. Complete the application with information for every household member: names, dates of birth, Social Security Numbers, income amounts, and household relationships. For long-term care or disability applications, indicate that need on the application so it routes to KDADS.
4. 4. Submit the application and note your confirmation or case number. KDHE will mail a notice within 45 days for most applicants. Pregnancy applications are decided within 15 days under federal expedited processing rules.
5. 5. Respond promptly to any KDHE request for additional verification (income documents, identity proof, residency evidence). KDHE typically allows 10 days to provide requested documents. Missing this window is the leading cause of denials.
6. 6. Review your eligibility notice. If approved, KDHE will assign you to one of the three KanCare managed care organizations. If denied, you have 30 days from the date of the notice to request a fair hearing by calling 1-800-432-3535 or submitting a written request to KDHE.

Official portal: ApplyForKanCare.ks.gov

Documents needed

• Photo ID for the head of household (Kansas driver's license, state-issued ID card, passport, or military ID).
• Social Security Numbers (or proof of application for an SSN) for every household member applying for coverage.
• Proof of Kansas residency: utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or official mail addressed to you at your Kansas address within the last 30 days.
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or qualifying immigration status: U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport, certificate of naturalization, permanent resident card (green card), or immigration documents showing qualifying status.
• Income verification for all household members: last 30 days of pay stubs for employees; most recent year's tax return and year-to-date profit and loss for self-employed individuals; benefit award letters for Social Security, SSDI, SSI, unemployment, pension, or other benefit income.
• Proof of pregnancy for pregnant women applicants: a written statement from a licensed healthcare provider, Medicaid-approved lab result, or other documentation confirming the pregnancy.

Processing timeline: Most KanCare applications are decided within 45 days from the date of application for MAGI categories (children, pregnant women, and parents). Pregnancy applications receive expedited processing and are decided within 15 days. Applications for aged, blind, and disabled (ABD) adults may take up to 60-90 days if a medical or functional assessment is required. Long-term care applications involving nursing-facility level-of-care determination may take up to 90 days.

Common reasons applications get denied

• Income over the group-specific threshold: the most frequent denial reason. Parents and caretakers are denied if household income exceeds 38% FPL. Pregnant women are denied if income exceeds 171% FPL. Verify your income documents match the amounts you reported.
• Categorical ineligibility: adults ages 19-64 who are not pregnant, not disabled, not caring for a dependent child, and not 65 or older are denied because Kansas has not expanded Medicaid. This is not an error; it reflects Kansas law.
• Failure to respond to a verification request within the 10-day window: KDHE sends requests for additional documentation when information cannot be electronically verified. Missing the deadline causes an automatic denial.
• Residency not verified: if KDHE cannot confirm a Kansas address using available data sources, you will be asked to provide a utility bill, lease, or other residency document. Applications that cannot be linked to a Kansas address are denied.
• Federal 5-year bar for lawful permanent residents: most immigrants who obtained lawful permanent resident status after August 22, 1996 are subject to a 5-year waiting period before qualifying for full KanCare Medicaid benefits. Emergency Medicaid is still available for qualifying emergencies.

If your child's family income is over the KanCare Medicaid limit

Kansas HealthWave is the state's Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), covering uninsured children under age 19 whose family income exceeds the KanCare Medicaid limit but falls at or below 255% of the Federal Poverty Level in 2026. HealthWave covers the same age range (under 19) and the same services as KanCare Medicaid, including well-child visits, immunizations, dental care, vision, and mental health services. Families with income between the Medicaid cutoff (138% FPL for children ages 6-18) and 255% FPL pay small monthly premiums ranging from $20 to $50 per family. Children who are eligible for employer-sponsored insurance at cost-effective rates may be excluded from HealthWave. Applications go through the same KEES portal at ApplyForKanCare.ks.gov and use the same income verification process.

Compare Medicaid and CHIP income limits across all 50 states

If you are 65 or older or have Medicare with limited income

Kansas KanCare administers three Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) for low-income Medicare beneficiaries in 2026. The Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program covers Medicare Part A and Part B premiums, deductibles, and cost-sharing for individuals with income at or below 100% FPL ($1,330/month in 2026 for an individual). The Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) program covers the Medicare Part B premium only for individuals with income between 100% and 120% FPL (up to $1,596/month). The Qualifying Individual (QI) program covers the Part B premium for individuals with income between 120% and 135% FPL (up to $1,797/month). All three programs also carry very low asset limits ($9,660 for an individual and $14,470 for a couple in 2026 under federal rules). Kansas KanCare-eligible dual-eligible members (those who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid) may also be eligible for D-SNP (Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans) through the KanCare managed care organizations. Apply for Medicare Savings Programs at ApplyForKanCare.ks.gov or through a local KDHE office.

Read the Medicare eligibility and dual-eligible guide

Frequently Asked Questions