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 Iowa Medicaid Income Limits for 2021. In Iowa, Medicaid is also called IA Health Link and is a managed care program.
Based on this information, you will be able to determine whether your income qualifies you for Iowa Medicaid or not.
However, before we get into details about the income limit, we will first explain the Medicaid program in Iowa 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
Iowa Medicaid
The Iowa 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 737,449 people.
This includes 356,000 children as shown by the image below.
Iowa Medicaid Enterprise (IME), a division of the Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS), is the name of the entity that administers the state’s Medicaid program.
Who Can Get Medicaid in Iowa?
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.
Iowa Medicaid Income Limit
The Iowa Medicaid Income Limit is calculated as a percentage of the Federal Poverty Line.
To qualify, you must meet the Iowa 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 375 percent of FPL
- Any child age 1-5 with a family income up to 167 percent of FPL
- Children ages 6- 18 with family income up to 167 percent of FPL
- CHIP for children with family income up to 302 percent of FPL
- Pregnant women with family income up to 375 percent of FPL
- Parents of minor children with family income up to 50 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
Iowa Medicaid Income Limit Charts
The Iowa 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 Iowa who qualify for Medicaid.
Iowa 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.
| Iowa Medicaid Income Limit – Children | ||||||
| Children Medicaid Ages 0-1 | Children Medicaid Ages 1-5 | Children Medicaid Ages 6-18 | Children Separate CHIP | |||
| % FPL | 100% | 375% | 167% | 167% | 302% | |
|
Household Size
|
1 | $12,880 | $48,300 | $21,510 | $21,510 | $38,898 |
| 2 | $17,420 | $65,325 | $29,091 | $29,091 | $52,608 | |
| 3 | $21,960 | $82,350 | $36,673 | $36,673 | $66,319 | |
| 4 | $26,500 | $99,375 | $44,255 | $44,255 | $80,030 | |
| 5 | $31,040 | $116,400 | $51,837 | $51,837 | $93,741 | |
| 6 | $35,580 | $133,425 | $59,419 | $59,419 | $107,452 | |
| 7 | $40,120 | $150,450 | $67,000 | $67,000 | $121,162 | |
| 8 | $44,660 | $167,475 | $74,582 | $74,582 | $134,873 | |
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.
Iowa has expanded Medicaid to include adults without dependents.
Therefore, adults without dependents can apply for Medicaid in Iowa.
For an update on the Medicaid expansion debate and timeline in Iowa, see our Iowa Expansion update below.
Iowa Medicaid Income Limit for Adults
| Iowa Medicaid Income Limit – Adults | ||||||
| Pregnant Women Medicaid | Adults (Medicaid) Parent/ Caretaker | Seniors & People w/ Disabilities (Medicaid) | Adults (Medicaid) Expansion to Adults | |||
| % FPL | 100% | 375% | 50% | 74% | 133% | |
|
Household Size
|
1 | $12,880 | $48,300 | $6,440 | $9,531 | $17,130 |
| 2 | $17,420 | $65,325 | $8,710 | $12,891 | $23,169 | |
| 3 | $21,960 | $82,350 | $10,980 | $16,250 | $29,207 | |
| 4 | $26,500 | $99,375 | $13,250 | $19,610 | $35,245 | |
| 5 | $31,040 | $116,400 | $15,520 | $22,970 | $41,283 | |
| 6 | $35,580 | $133,425 | $17,790 | $26,329 | $47,321 | |
| 7 | $40,120 | $150,450 | $20,060 | $29,689 | $53,360 | |
| 8 | $44,660 | $167,475 | $22,330 | $33,048 | $59,398 | |
How to Read the Iowa 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 375% of the Federal Poverty Level – which for a family of two is $65,325 as shown in the chart above.
How to Apply for Iowa Medicaid
There are 3 ways you can apply for Medicaid in Iowa.
Option 1 – Apply online
You can apply online through the Iowa DHS benefits portal – as shown in the image below.
If you have an account, you can log in or create your Iowa DHS benefits Account. Click here to be taken to the website.
Option 2 – Apply at DHS Office Near You
There may be counselors in your area who can help you apply for Medicaid. Visit the DHS website or call 1-855-889-7985 for more information.
Option 3 – Download Application
You can download an application, complete it, and mail it to your county DHS office or submit it in person. Click here for a DHS office near you.
Additionally, you can mail your completed application to:
Imaging Center 4
PO Box 2027
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52406.
Iowa Medicaid Phone Number
Here’s how to contact the Iowa Medicaid Agency:
Iowa Medicaid Enterprise Member Services (Fee-for-Service)
1-800-338-8366 (Toll-Free)
515-256-4606 (Des Moines Area)
515-725-1351 (Fax)
IMEMemberServices@dhs.state.ia.us (Email)
Operating Hours:
Monday to Friday
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Services Offered:
- Fee-for-Service member inquiries
- MCO choice counseling
- Fee-for-Service billing issues
- Provider search
- Iowa Medicaid ID cards
- Grievance and Appeals (Fee-for-Service)
- Premium payments
- Benefits information
Iowa Medicaid Expansion Update
Iowa initially expanded Medicaid with a privatized approach but switched to straight Medicaid expansion (with managed care) as of 2016.
The state used a waiver to implement an Iowa-specific version of Medicaid expansion.
However, in 2015, that plan was abandoned in favor of straight Medicaid expansion as called for in the ACA.
The state uses a managed care approach that utilizes private insurers to provide coverage and care coordination.
The state has seen a 42% reduction in the uninsured population from 2013 to 2017.
Arizona Medicaid Income Limits Summary
We hope this post on Arizona Medicaid Income Limits was helpful to you.
If you have any questions about Medicaid in the state of Arizona, you can ask us in the comments section below.
Help us spread the word! If you found this post on Arizona Medicaid Income Limits helpful, help us spread the word by sharing it using the “Share this” button below.
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
KanCare Medicaid Income Limits
KCHIP Medicaid Income Limits