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 Idaho Medicaid Income Limits for 2021.
The Medicaid program in Idaho is also called Idaho Health Plan Coverage and is administered by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.
Based on this information, you will be able to determine whether your income qualifies you for Idaho Medicaid or not.
However, before we get into details about the income limit, we will first explain the Medicaid program in Idaho 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 November 2020, here are the number of people enrolled in Medicaid and Chip in the entire United States:
- 78,521,263 individuals were enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP
- 72,204,587 individuals were enrolled in Medicaid
- 6,695,834 individuals were enrolled in CHIP
Idaho Medicaid
The Idaho 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 371,288 people.
This includes 193,000 children as shown by the image below.
In the state of Idaho, the Medicaid program is run by The Department of Health and Welfare (DHW)
Who Can Get Medicaid in Idaho?
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.
Idaho Medicaid Income Limit
The Idaho Medicaid Income Limit is calculated as a percentage of the Federal Poverty Line.
To qualify, you must meet the Idaho Medicaid Income limits listed below.
Here is the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) for 2021.
| 2021 Federal Poverty Levels for the 48 Contiguous States & D.C. | |||
| Household Size | Poverty Guideline for 48 states & DC | Alaska | Hawaii |
| 1 | $12,880 | $16,090 | $14,820 |
| 2 | $17,420 | $21,770 | $20,040 |
| 3 | $21,960 | $27,450 | $25,260 |
| 4 | $26,500 | $33,130 | $30,480 |
| 5 | $31,040 | $38,810 | $35,700 |
| 6 | $35,580 | $44,490 | $40,920 |
| 7 | $40,120 | $50,170 | $46,140 |
| 8 | $44,660 | $55,850 | $51,360 |
| Over 8 people | add $4,540 for each additional person | $5,680 | $5,220 |
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 142 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 185 percent of FPL
- Pregnant women with family income up to 133 percent of FPL
- Parents of minor children with family income up to 22 percent of FPL
- Individuals who are elderly, blind, and disabled with family income up to 80% of the FPL
- Adults without dependents under Medicaid expansion with income up to 133% of the FPL
Idaho Medicaid Income Limit Charts
The Idaho 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 Idaho who qualify for Medicaid.
Idaho 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.
| Idaho Medicaid Income Limit – Children | ||||||
| Children Medicaid Ages 0-1 | Children Medicaid Ages 1-5 | Children Medicaid Ages 6-18 | Children Separate CHIP | |||
| % FPL | 100% | 142% | 142% | 133% | 185% | |
|
Household Size
|
1 | $12,880 | $18,290 | $18,290 | $17,130 | $23,828 |
| 2 | $17,420 | $24,736 | $24,736 | $23,169 | $32,227 | |
| 3 | $21,960 | $31,183 | $31,183 | $29,207 | $40,626 | |
| 4 | $26,500 | $37,630 | $37,630 | $35,245 | $49,025 | |
| 5 | $31,040 | $44,077 | $44,077 | $41,283 | $57,424 | |
| 6 | $35,580 | $50,524 | $50,524 | $47,321 | $65,823 | |
| 7 | $40,120 | $56,970 | $56,970 | $53,360 | $74,222 | |
| 8 | $44,660 | $63,417 | $63,417 | $59,398 | $82,621 | |
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.
Idaho has expanded Medicaid to include adults without dependents.
Therefore, adults without dependents can apply for Medicaid in Idaho.
For an update on the Medicaid expansion debate and timeline in Idaho, see our Idaho Expansion update below.
Idaho Medicaid Income Limit for Adults
| Idaho Medicaid Income Limit – Adults | ||||||
| Pregnant Women Medicaid | Adults (Medicaid) Parent/ Caretaker | Seniors & People w/ Disabilities (Medicaid) | Adults (Medicaid) Expansion to Adults | |||
| % FPL | 100% | 133% | 22% | 80% | 133% | |
|
Household Size
|
1 | $12,880 | $17,130 | $2,834 | $10,304 | $17,130 |
| 2 | $17,420 | $23,169 | $3,832 | $13,936 | $23,169 | |
| 3 | $21,960 | $29,207 | $4,831 | $17,568 | $29,207 | |
| 4 | $26,500 | $35,245 | $5,830 | $21,200 | $35,245 | |
| 5 | $31,040 | $41,283 | $6,829 | $24,832 | $41,283 | |
| 6 | $35,580 | $47,321 | $7,828 | $28,464 | $47,321 | |
| 7 | $40,120 | $53,360 | $8,826 | $32,096 | $53,360 | |
| 8 | $44,660 | $59,398 | $9,825 | $35,728 | $59,398 | |
How to Read the Idaho 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 133% of the Federal Poverty Level – which for a family of two is $23,169 as shown in the chart above.
How to Apply for Idaho Medicaid
There are 3 ways you can apply for Medicaid in Idaho.
Option 1 – Apply online
You can apply online through the Idalink Idaho portal – as shown in the image below.
If you have an account, you can log in or create your Idalink Idaho Account. Click here to be taken to the website.
Be prepared to provide this information with the application:
- Verification of identity (ex. driver’s license)
- Household income
- Current monthly expenses
- If applicable, immigration status
Option 2 – Apply at DHW Office Near You
You can apply in person at the Idaho Department of Health & Welfare (DHW) office near you. Click here to locate a DHW office.
Option 3 – Download Application
You can download an application, complete it, and mail it to your county DHW office or submit it in person.
Additionally, you can return your completed form to:
Self Reliance Programs
PO Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0026
Idaho Medicaid Phone Number
Here’s how to contact the Idaho Medicaid Agency:
For General Questions About Medicaid, call Medicaid’s main switchboard at 1-877-456-1233 for assistance.
Additionally, you can reach them by email at MyBenefits@dhw.idaho.gov.
Idaho Medicaid Expansion Update
Idaho expanded Medicaid as of January 2020.
As a result, people with income from 100-138 percent of the poverty level who had previously been eligible for subsidies in the exchange — are eligible for Medicaid in Idaho as of January 2020.
Enrollment began November 1, 2019, with coverage effective January 1, 2020.
So far, more than 53,000 people had enrolled by early January.
However, the state expects total enrollment in expanded Medicaid to eventually reach 91,000 people.
There is not currently a work requirement for Idaho’s Medicaid program, but the state is working closely with the federal government to get a work requirement waiver approved.
Therefore, Medicaid expansion enrollees could soon be subject to a work requirement in the state of Idaho.
Idaho Medicaid Income Limits Summary
We hope this post on Idaho Medicaid Income Limits was helpful to you.
If you have any questions about Medicaid in the state of Idaho, 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
Illinois Medicaid Income Limits Charts
Medicaid Income Limits by State