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 West Virginia Medicaid Income Limits for 2021.
Based on this information, you will be able to determine whether your income qualifies you for West Virginia Medicaid or not.
However, before we get into details about the income limit, we will first explain the Medicaid program in West Virginia 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
West Virginia Medicaid
The West Virginia 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 554,374 people.
This includes 224,000 children as shown by the image below.
In West Virginia, the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Services (DHHR), Bureau for Medical Services (BMS) is the agency that administers the state’s Medicaid program.
Who Can Get Medicaid in West Virginia?
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.
West Virginia Medicaid Income Limit
The West Virginia Medicaid Income Limit is calculated as a percentage of the Federal Poverty Line.
To qualify, you must meet the West Virginia 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 158 percent of FPL
- Any child age 1-5 with a family income up to 141 percent of FPL
- Children ages 6- 18 with family income up to 133 percent of FPL
- CHIP for children with family income up to 300 percent of FPL
- Pregnant women with family income up to 185 percent of FPL
- Parents of minor children with family income up to 18 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
West Virginia Medicaid Income Limit Charts
The West Virginia 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 West Virginia who qualify for Medicaid.
West Virginia 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.
| West Virginia Medicaid Income Limit – Children | ||||||
| Children Medicaid Ages 0-1 | Children Medicaid Ages 1-5 | Children Medicaid Ages 6-18 | Children Separate CHIP | |||
| % FPL | 100% | 158% | 141% | 133% | 300% | |
|
Household Size
|
1 | $12,880 | $20,350 | $18,161 | $17,130 | $38,640 |
| 2 | $17,420 | $27,524 | $24,562 | $23,169 | $52,260 | |
| 3 | $21,960 | $34,697 | $30,964 | $29,207 | $65,880 | |
| 4 | $26,500 | $41,870 | $37,365 | $35,245 | $79,500 | |
| 5 | $31,040 | $49,043 | $43,766 | $41,283 | $93,120 | |
| 6 | $35,580 | $56,216 | $50,168 | $47,321 | $106,740 | |
| 7 | $40,120 | $63,390 | $56,569 | $53,360 | $120,360 | |
| 8 | $44,660 | $70,563 | $62,971 | $59,398 | $133,980 | |
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.
West Virginia has expanded Medicaid to include adults without dependents.
Therefore, adults without dependents can apply for Medicaid in West Virginia.
For an update on the Medicaid expansion debate and timeline in West Virginia, see our West Virginia Expansion update below.
West Virginia Medicaid Income Limit for Adults
| West Virginia Medicaid Income Limit – Adults | ||||||
| Pregnant Women Medicaid | Adults (Medicaid) Parent/ Caretaker | Seniors & People w/ Disabilities (Medicaid) | Adults (Medicaid) Expansion to Adults | |||
| % FPL | 100% | 185% | 18% | 74% | 133% | |
|
Household Size
|
1 | $12,880 | $23,828 | $2,318 | $9,531 | $17,130 |
| 2 | $17,420 | $32,227 | $3,136 | $12,891 | $23,169 | |
| 3 | $21,960 | $40,626 | $3,953 | $16,250 | $29,207 | |
| 4 | $26,500 | $49,025 | $4,770 | $19,610 | $35,245 | |
| 5 | $31,040 | $57,424 | $5,587 | $22,970 | $41,283 | |
| 6 | $35,580 | $65,823 | $6,404 | $26,329 | $47,321 | |
| 7 | $40,120 | $74,222 | $7,222 | $29,689 | $53,360 | |
| 8 | $44,660 | $82,621 | $8,039 | $33,048 | $59,398 | |
How to Read the West Virginia 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 185% of the Federal Poverty Level – which for a family of two is $32,227 as shown in the chart above.
How to Apply for West Virginia Medicaid
There are 3 ways you can apply for Medicaid in West Virginia.
Option 1 – Apply online
You can apply online through the WV PATH Portal – as shown in the image below.
If you have an account, you can log in or create your WV PATH Portal Account. Click here to be taken to the website.
Option 2 – Apply at DHHR Office Near You
You can apply in person at the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) office near you. Click here to locate a DHHR office.
Option 3 – Download Application
You can download an application, complete it, and mail it to your county DHHR office or submit it in person.
Additionally, you can the Customer Service Center at 1-877-716-1212 to apply over the phone.
West Virginia Medicaid Phone Number
Here’s how to contact the West Virginia Medicaid Agency:
For Medicaid Applicant & Member Services
Call the Customer Service Center at 1-877-716-1212.
West Virginia Medicaid Expansion Update
West Virginia opted to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) starting on January 1, 2014.
Medicaid expansion significantly exceeded the 93,000 people that West Virginia had initially projected to enroll in by 2020.
Nearly 157,000 people enrolled under Medicaid expansion in West Virginia as of November 2019.
Additionally, the West Virginia CHIP program now covers maternity care as of July 2019
West Virginia’s uninsured rate dropped to 6.4% in 2018, thanks in large part to Medicaid expansion.
West Virginia Medicaid Income Limits Summary
We hope this post on West Virginia Medicaid Income Limits was helpful to you.
If you have any questions about Medicaid in the state of West Virginia, 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