Delaware Medicaid Income Limits – 2023

The Medicaid Income Limit is the most important criteria for deciding whether you qualify for Medicaid in your state. In this post, we are going to explain in detail the Delaware Medicaid Income Limits for 2023. The Medicaid program in Delaware is also called Diamond State Health Plan (DSHP).

Based on this information, you will be able to determine whether your income qualifies you for Delaware Medicaid or not.

However, before we get into details about the income limit, we will first explain the Medicaid program in Delaware and how it works.

Next, we will discuss who is eligible for Medicaid, including how eligibility works for various categories, including Children, Pregnant Women, and Adults.

What is Medicaid?

Medicaid is a federal and state health insurance program for people with a low income.

It provides free or low-cost health coverage to millions of Americans, including families and children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with disabilities.

The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) offers health coverage to children in families with incomes too high to qualify for Medicaid, but who can’t afford private coverage.

How Many People Are on Medicaid?

According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, as of February 2023, here are the number of people enrolled in Medicaid and Chip in the entire United States:

• 93,373,794 individuals were enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP
• 86,174,094 individuals were enrolled in Medicaid
• 7,199,700 individuals were enrolled in CHIP

Delaware Medicaid

The Delaware Medicaid program provides medical coverage to low-income individuals and families.

As of 2020, the program, along with the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) covered about 250,000 people as shown by the image below.

In Delaware, the Medicaid program is managed by the Delaware Health and Social Services (DHSS) through the Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance.

Who Can Get Medicaid in Delaware?

You should apply for Medicaid if your income is low and you match one of the descriptions below:

• You think you are pregnant
• The parent or caretaker of a child and/or teenager under the age of 19.
• You are a child or teenager age 18 or under.
• An adult age 65 or older.
• You are legally blind.
• Living with a disability or disabled.
• You are in need of nursing home care.

Delaware Medicaid Income Limit

The Delaware Medicaid Income Limit is calculated as a percentage of the Federal Poverty Line.

To qualify, you must meet the Delaware Medicaid Income limits listed below.

Here is the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) for 2023.

Additionally, to be eligible for Medicaid, you cannot make more than the income guidelines outlined below:

• Children up to age 1 with family income up to 212 percent of FPL
• Any child age 1-5 with a family income up to 142 percent of FPL
• Children ages 6- 18 with family income up to 133 percent of FPL
• CHIP for children with family income up to 212 percent of FPL
• Pregnant women with family income up to 212 percent of FPL
• Parents of minor children with family income up to 87 percent of FPL
• Individuals who are elderly, blind, and disabled with family income up to 74% of the FPL
• Adults without dependents under Medicaid expansion with income up to 133% of the FPL

Delaware Medicaid Income Limit Charts

The Delaware Medicaid eligibility income limit charts are divided by groups.

For example, the first chart is focused on income limits for children who qualify for Medicaid.

Similarly, the second chart below focuses on the Medicaid income limits for adults in Delaware who qualify for Medicaid.

Delaware Medicaid Income Limit for Children 

Below is the income limit for children by age category. Find the age category your child falls into and you will see the income limit by household size.

Next is the income limit for adults by category. Find the category you fall into and you will see the income limit by household size.

Delaware has expanded Medicaid to include adults without dependents.

Therefore, adults without dependents can apply for Medicaid in Delaware.

For an update on the Medicaid expansion debate and timeline in Delaware, see our Delaware Expansion update below.

Delaware Medicaid Income Limit for Adults

How to Read the Delaware Medicaid Income Limits Charts Above

You cannot have an income higher than the Federal Poverty Level percentage described for your group to be eligible for Medicaid.

Similarly, when you identify the income group that applies to you, the income limit you see refers to the maximum level of income you can earn to qualify for benefits.

For example, if you are pregnant, to qualify for Medicaid, you cannot have an income higher than 212% of the Federal Poverty Level – which for a family of two is  $36,930 as shown in the chart above.

How to Apply for Delaware Medicaid

There are 3 ways you can apply for Medicaid in Delaware.

Option 1 – Apply online

You can apply online through the Delaware ASSIST account (as shown in the image below). If you have an account, you can log in or create your ASSIST Account. Click here to be taken to the website.

Option 2 – Apply at DHSS Office Near You

You can apply in person at the Delaware Health and Social Services (DHSS) office near you. Click here to locate a DHSS office.

Option 3 – Download Delaware Food Stamps Application

You can download an application, complete it, and mail it to your county DHSS office or submit it in person.

Delaware Medicaid Phone Number

Here’s how to contact the Delaware Medicaid Agency:

For Medicaid Applicant & Member Services:

Call Customer Relations at (302) 571-4900 or (866) 843-7212.

Other Phone Numbers:

Customer Relations: (866) 843-7212
Provider Relations: (800) 999-3371
Health Benefits Manager: (800) 996-9969

MedicaidInfo@delaware.gov

Delaware Medicaid Expansion Update

In January 2014, Delaware adopted Medicaid expansion through the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

As a result, the total enrollment in Delaware’s Medicaid/CHIP program grew by almost 25,000 people from 2013 to August 2018.

Starting in 2017, Delaware was responsible for 5 percent of the cost, and that gradually grows each year until it reaches 10 percent in 2020, remaining at that level going forward.

The uninsured rate in Delaware has dropped from 9.1 percent in 2013 to 5.4 percent in 2017.

Delaware Medicaid Income Limits Summary

We hope this post on Delaware Medicaid Income Limits was helpful to you.

If you have any questions about Medicaid in the state of Delaware, you can ask us in the comments section below.

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Be sure to check out our other articles about Medicaid.
Income limits for Florida Medicaid
Alabama Medicaid Income Limits and How to Apply
Alaska Medicaid Income Limits and Chart
Washington DC Medicaid Income Limits Chart