Healthy Louisiana Income Limits (2026)

Healthy Louisiana is the state-branded name for Louisiana's Medicaid program, administered by the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH). Louisiana expanded Medicaid on July 1, 2016, making it an expansion state under the Affordable Care Act. The expansion extended Healthy Louisiana eligibility to adults ages 19 to 64 with household incomes at or below 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Using the 2026 FPL figures published by HHS ASPE ($15,960 for a household of one in the 48 contiguous states, with $5,680 added per additional person), the 2026 Healthy Louisiana income limit for adults is $22,025 per year ($1,835 per month) for a single person and $45,540 per year ($3,795 per month) for a family of four. More than 700,000 additional Louisiana residents gained coverage through expansion, and total Healthy Louisiana enrollment now exceeds 2 million in 2026.

Healthy Louisiana covers four main population groups, each with its own income threshold. Non-elderly adults (the expansion group, ages 19 to 64) qualify at up to 138% FPL under MAGI rules with no asset test. Children qualify at higher thresholds through LaCHIP (Louisiana Children's Health Insurance Program) at up to 217% FPL for standard Medicaid and through the LaCHIP Affordable Plan up to 255% FPL with small sliding-scale premiums. Pregnant women qualify through LaMOMS (Louisiana Medicaid for Pregnant Women and Newborns) at 138% FPL, with the unborn child counted as an additional household member, and coverage extends 12 months postpartum under Louisiana's 2022 extended postpartum policy, one of the first in the nation. Aged, blind, and disabled residents qualify under SSI-related rules with an asset test, with a 2026 income limit of approximately $994 per month for an individual. A significant 2026 managed-care change: UnitedHealthcare exited Healthy Louisiana on April 1, 2026; the program now operates through five MCOs including Aetna Better Health, AmeriHealth Caritas Louisiana, Healthy Blue, Humana, and Louisiana Healthcare Connections.

The household-size table below shows the 2026 Healthy Louisiana income limits across the three main MAGI-eligible populations. Because Louisiana is an expansion state, most adults ages 19 to 64 who live in Louisiana, meet residency and citizenship requirements, and earn below 138% FPL are eligible for Healthy Louisiana with no asset test and no waiting period. If your household income exceeds the adult Healthy Louisiana limit but falls below 400% FPL, you may qualify for ACA marketplace premium subsidies through Healthcare.gov. If your child's income exceeds the Medicaid limit but is below 255% FPL, the LaCHIP Affordable Plan may provide coverage with small premiums. If you are 65 or older with Medicare and limited income, Louisiana's Medicare Savings Programs (QMB, SLMB, QI) may pay your Medicare premiums and cost-sharing.

Healthy Louisiana (Louisiana Medicaid) income limits by household size (2026)

The 2026 Healthy Louisiana (Louisiana Medicaid) income guidelines below are based on the 2026 Federal Poverty Level for the 48 contiguous states. Adult column = expansion-group threshold (138% FPL, ages 19-64). Children column = LaCHIP standard Medicaid for children (217% FPL). Pregnancy column = LaMOMS threshold (138% FPL; the unborn child counts as an additional household member). Add roughly $7,838 of annual income per additional household member for the adult and pregnancy columns, and $12,326 per additional member for the children's column.

Healthy Louisiana (Louisiana Medicaid) eligibility requirements (non-income)

Beyond income, Healthy Louisiana applicants must meet the following non-income requirements. MAGI categories (expansion adults, children, pregnant women) do not have an asset test. Aged, blind, and disabled (ABD) populations use SSI-related rules that include an asset test. The items below apply across most population groups.

• Louisiana residency: the applicant must live in Louisiana with the intent to remain. There is no minimum length-of-residence requirement; a person can apply on the day they move to the state.
• Age: Healthy Louisiana expansion adults must be ages 19 to 64. Children under 19 qualify through LaCHIP at higher income thresholds. Adults 65 and older qualify under the aged Medicaid category with SSI-related income and asset rules.
• U.S. citizenship or qualifying immigration status: U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (subject to the federal 5-year bar in most cases), refugees, asylees, and certain other qualified immigrants are eligible. Undocumented adults do not qualify for full Healthy Louisiana but may receive emergency Medicaid for life-threatening conditions.
• Social Security Number: required for each person applying for coverage (with exceptions for emergency Medicaid and certain immigrant categories).
• Household composition under MAGI rules: Healthy Louisiana uses tax-household rules to define whose income counts. A pregnant woman's unborn child is counted as a household member, which often increases the household size and the applicable income limit.
• Asset test: NOT applied for MAGI categories (expansion adults, children, pregnant women). Asset test IS applied for aged/blind/disabled (ABD) adults, with a 2026 limit of approximately $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple. For nursing home Medicaid, the applicant asset limit is $2,000 with a Community Spouse Resource Allowance of up to $162,660 for the non-applicant spouse.
• Other coverage: Healthy Louisiana enrollees may also have employer-sponsored or private insurance. Louisiana Medicaid coordinates as the payer of last resort when other coverage exists. Having Medicare does not disqualify you from Medicaid; dual-eligible individuals (both Medicare and Medicaid) receive benefits from both programs.

What income counts for Healthy Louisiana (Louisiana Medicaid)

Healthy Louisiana uses Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) rules for the expansion adult, children, and pregnancy categories. MAGI income is based on projected annual household income as reported on a federal tax return, with a small set of federal deductions applied. Louisiana applies the standard 5% disregard allowed under federal Medicaid rules, which effectively raises the posted threshold by about 5 percentage points (from 138% to roughly 143% FPL) before a household exceeds the limit. Aged, blind, and disabled (ABD) categories, including nursing home Medicaid, use SSI countable-income rules rather than MAGI.

Income sources included

• Wages, salaries, tips, and overtime pay (gross, before payroll-tax withholding)
• Net self-employment and gig-work earnings (after deducting allowable ordinary and necessary business expenses)
• Social Security retirement and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits (note: SSI is excluded; SSDI is counted)
• Unemployment compensation and most state-paid unemployment benefits
• Pensions, annuities, and taxable retirement-account withdrawals (401(k), IRA distributions)
• Investment income: interest, dividends, capital gains (from savings accounts, mutual funds, real estate sales)
• Rental income (net of allowable rental expenses)
• Alimony received under divorce decrees finalized before January 1, 2019 (post-TCJA divorces: alimony is not counted)

Income sources excluded

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments (not MAGI income; SSI recipients are categorically eligible for Medicaid through a separate pathway)
• Child support received (not counted as income under MAGI rules)
• Federal and state income tax refunds (including EITC and Child Tax Credit refunds)
• Veterans Affairs disability compensation and most VA pensions
• SNAP benefits, TANF cash assistance, housing assistance, and other means-tested public benefit payments
• Workers' compensation payments
• Loans, gifts, and one-time inheritances (not countable under MAGI rules, though large asset transfers may be reviewed under nursing home Medicaid lookback rules)

How to apply for Healthy Louisiana (Louisiana Medicaid) in Louisiana

Healthy Louisiana applications are submitted through the Louisiana Medicaid Self-Service Portal (LaMEDS), run by the Louisiana Department of Health at sspweb.lameds.ldh.la.gov. Louisianans can also apply by phone, by mail, or in person at a local Medicaid Application Center. The same application covers Medicaid and other public-benefit programs administered by LDH. The online portal allows applicants to upload documents, save progress, and check the status of a pending application.

1. 1. Gather your documents before starting: photo ID, Social Security card or number for each household member, proof of Louisiana residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement), proof of citizenship or immigration status, and the most recent month of pay stubs or proof of self-employment income.
2. 2. Choose your application method: visit sspweb.lameds.ldh.la.gov to apply online; call Louisiana Medicaid Customer Service at 1-888-342-6207 to apply by phone; visit your local Medicaid Application Center in person; or download a paper application from ldh.la.gov and mail it to Louisiana Medicaid.
3. 3. Complete the application: list every household member, report all income sources for the past 30 days (or 12 months if self-employed), and indicate whether anyone in the household is pregnant, disabled, or over 65.
4. 4. Upload or submit supporting documents. If applying online, you can upload files directly through the LaMEDS portal. If applying by mail or phone, LDH will send a document checklist; respond within the timeframe noted on the notice.
5. 5. Sign the application (electronically if applying online) and submit. You will receive a confirmation notice with your case number; save it for future reference.
6. 6. Wait for the eligibility determination. LDH processes most standard applications within 45 days. Pregnancy applications are typically processed faster under federal expedited rules. If LDH requests additional information, respond promptly, as failure to respond is a leading cause of denial.

Official portal: sspweb.lameds.ldh.la.gov (LaMEDS Self-Service Portal)

Documents needed

• Photo ID for the head of household (Louisiana driver's license, state ID card, or U.S. passport)
• Social Security Numbers for every household member applying for Healthy Louisiana coverage
• Proof of Louisiana residency: utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement showing a Louisiana address
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or qualifying immigration status: birth certificate, U.S. passport, naturalization certificate, Permanent Resident Card (green card), or asylee/refugee documentation
• Most recent 30 days of pay stubs (for wage earners) or 12 months of income records (for self-employed applicants or 1099 workers)
• Proof of pregnancy from a physician or licensed healthcare provider, if applying for LaMOMS pregnancy Medicaid
• For aged/blind/disabled applicants: bank statements, vehicle titles, property records, and any existing disability award letter from SSA

Processing timeline: Louisiana LDH processes most Healthy Louisiana applications within 45 days of receiving a complete application. Pregnancy (LaMOMS) applications are processed faster, often within 15 days, under federal expedited-processing rules for pregnant women. Applications for aged, blind, or disabled adults requiring a medical determination can take 60 to 90 days. If you are denied, you have the right to request a fair hearing within 90 days of the denial notice.

Common reasons applications get denied

• Household income above the applicable Healthy Louisiana threshold (138% FPL for adults, 217% FPL for children) is the most common reason for denial.
• Failure to respond to LDH requests for additional documentation within the stated timeframe (often 10 to 30 days). Applications are closed if the required documents are not received.
• Failure to verify Louisiana residency (no utility bill, lease, or other current-address documentation in the applicant's name).
• Federal 5-year bar for newly-arrived lawful permanent residents (most adults must wait 5 years after obtaining permanent residency; certain categories such as refugees, asylees, and Cuban/Haitian entrants are exempt).
• Asset test failure for aged/blind/disabled applicants (countable resources above $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple at the federal floor).

If your child's family income is above the Healthy Louisiana limit for children

LaCHIP (Louisiana Children's Health Insurance Program) covers children under age 19 in two tiers. The standard LaCHIP program covers children at up to 217% of the Federal Poverty Level ($71,610 per year for a household of four in 2026) with no premiums or asset test. The LaCHIP Affordable Plan (LAP) extends coverage for children in households between 218% and 255% FPL, with a small sliding-scale monthly premium. Both programs offer comprehensive benefits comparable to Healthy Louisiana. Applications use the same LaMEDS portal at sspweb.lameds.ldh.la.gov or the toll-free line at 1-888-342-6207.

Compare Medicaid and CHIP income limits across all 50 states

If you have Medicare and limited income: Louisiana Medicare Savings Programs

Louisiana administers three Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) for low-income Medicare beneficiaries. The Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program covers individuals with income up to approximately $1,350 per month (2026); QMB pays Medicare Parts A and B premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance. The Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) program covers income from approximately $1,351 to $1,616 per month and pays the Part B premium only. The Qualifying Individual (QI) program covers income from approximately $1,617 to $1,816 per month and also pays the Part B premium on a first-come, first-served basis from a fixed annual appropriation. Louisiana does not apply an asset test to MSP eligibility. Enrollment in any MSP automatically qualifies you for the federal Extra Help (Low-Income Subsidy) for Medicare Part D prescription drug costs. Apply through the same LaMEDS portal or by calling 1-888-342-6207.

Read the Medicare eligibility guide

Frequently Asked Questions