Transferring Medicaid from Kansas to Washington
Medicaid never transfers between states. When you leave Kansas, that case closes, and Washington needs its own application through Washington State Health Care Authority. Apply as soon as you arrive — eligibility starts from your application, and many states can cover bills from up to three months before it.
Eligibility usually gets easier in this direction: Washington has adopted Medicaid expansion (adults up to 138% of the federal poverty level), while Kansas has not — many adults who were denied in Kansas qualify in Washington.
Official Washington Medicaid agency: Washington State Health Care Authority ↗ (application page)
Your step-by-step checklist
Before you move
- 1
Gather your documents before the move
You will reapply from scratch: proof of identity, income (pay stubs or award letters), your new address, and immigration documents if applicable.
- 2
Tell Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) you are leaving
Update your information at ApplyForKanCare.ks.gov or by calling the KanCare Clearinghouse at 1-800-792-4884.
Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) ↗
Moving week
- 3
Time the closure to the end of your move month
Keep coverage through the month you travel. Your old state's coverage generally ends the month you stop being a resident.
After you arrive
- 4
Apply with Washington State Health Care Authority as soon as you arrive
There is no waiting period based on how long you have lived there — apply immediately. Processing: up to 45 days.
Online application ↗ - 5
Ask about retroactive coverage
Most states can cover eligible medical bills up to 3 months before your application date — ask when you apply if you had care during the gap.
Kansas vs Washington: the numbers that decide it
| Kansas (old state) | Washington (new state) | |
|---|---|---|
| Program name | KanCare | Apple Health |
| Agency | Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) | Washington State Health Care Authority |
| ACA Medicaid expansion | No — adults need a category | Yes — adults covered on income |
| Adult income limit | not published as % FPL | 138% of the federal poverty level |
Verified 2026-08-08 (Kansas) and 2026-08-08 (Washington) against the official sources cited below.
Moving with more than one benefit?
The checklist generator merges Medicaid, SNAP, WIC, unemployment, and TANF into one ordered to-do list for this exact move.
Build the full Kansas → Washington checklistCommon questions
Can I use my Kansas Medicaid in Washington while I wait?
Generally no. Kansas Medicaid only pays providers for Kansas residents, and out-of-state care is limited to emergencies. Once you live in Washington, you need Washington coverage — apply immediately and ask about retroactive coverage for bills in the gap.
Is there a waiting period for Medicaid in Washington?
No. States cannot impose a minimum-residency waiting period. You qualify (or not) on Washington's income and category rules from the day you become a resident. The application itself takes up to 45 days.
Can I have Medicaid in two states at once?
No. You can only receive Medicaid from the state where you live. Keeping an old case open while opening a new one can create repayment problems — close the Kansas case effective your move month.
Where do I actually apply in Washington?
Through Washington State Health Care Authority (online application linked above). Official Medicaid pages for both states are cited at the bottom of this page.
Related guides
Official sources
Every fact above was checked against these official pages. Last verified.
- KDHE — KanCare Eligibility Guidelines — accessed 2026-08-08
- KanCare — Apply Now — accessed 2026-08-08
- HCA — Apple Health (Medicaid) coverage — accessed 2026-08-08
- HCA — Apple Health for individual adults — accessed 2026-08-08