Maryland Medicaid: 2026 Income Limits and Moving In or Out
Moving TO Maryland
Maryland Medical Assistance (Maryland's Medicaid program) does not accept transferred cases from other states: every new Maryland resident applies fresh through Maryland Department of Health. There is no waiting period tied to how recently you arrived — eligibility is decided on Maryland's own income and household rules from the day you become a resident.
Leaving Maryland
Leaving Maryland ends your Maryland Medical Assistance (Maryland's Medicaid program) case — no state will take it over. Close the case with Maryland Department of Health effective your move month, then apply in your destination state immediately after arriving.
Official agency: Maryland Department of Health ↗ (application page)
Maryland Medicaid at a glance
| Program name | Maryland Medical Assistance |
|---|---|
| ACA Medicaid expansion | Yes — adults covered on income |
| Adult income limit | 138% of the federal poverty level |
| Processing | Federal 45-day standard; MDH does not publish a state-specific timeline (90 days if a disability decision is needed) |
Maryland Medicaid income limits for adults (2026)
Maryland expanded Medicaid under the ACA, so adults with income up to 138% of the federal poverty level can qualify without fitting a category such as disability or pregnancy. Federal law (Public Law 119-21) adds a work condition for most of these adults from January 1, 2027 (earlier in some states, and later only in a state granted an extension, which cannot run past 2028): they must show 80 hours a month of work, school, job training, or community service, unless they are exempt (for example, parents of a child 13 or under, pregnant people, and people with a disability). New applicants may have to show it for 1 to 3 consecutive months immediately preceding the month they apply.
| Household size | Monthly income limit | Yearly income limit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $1,836 | $22,025 |
| 2 people | $2,489 | $29,864 |
| 3 people | $3,142 | $37,702 |
| 4 people | $3,795 | $45,540 |
| 5 people | $4,449 | $53,379 |
| 6 people | $5,102 | $61,217 |
| 7 people | $5,755 | $69,056 |
| 8 people | $6,408 | $76,894 |
| Each additional person | +$654 | +$7,839 |
- Computed as 138% of the 2026 HHS poverty guidelines (48 contiguous states and DC), rounded up to the dollar. Maryland's own chart controls, and states often switch to the new year's guidelines partway through the year — so the agency's chart may still show lower 2025 figures.
- The adult limit counts income under MAGI (modified adjusted gross income) rules. Children and pregnant people usually have higher limits; people 65+ or with a disability are assessed under different, non-MAGI rules that often include an asset test — ask the agency below.
Federal source: HHS 2026 Poverty Guidelines (91 FR 1797) (published 2026-01-15)
How to apply for Medicaid in Maryland
Apply with Maryland Department of Health online at marylandhealthconnection.gov, which runs the program as Maryland Medical Assistance. Go to the official application page ↗
Processing time: Federal 45-day standard; MDH does not publish a state-specific timeline (90 days if a disability decision is needed).
Common questions
What is the Medicaid income limit in Maryland for 2026?
For adults, 138% of the federal poverty level: about $1,836 a month for one person and $3,795 a month for a family of four in 2026. Children, pregnant people, and people 65+ or with a disability have separate limits.
Can I keep Maryland Medicaid if I move to another state?
No. Medicaid covers residents only, so Maryland coverage ends once you live elsewhere. Report the move to Maryland Department of Health and apply in your new state right away; eligibility there is decided on that state's own rules.
How do I apply for Medicaid in Maryland?
Apply with Maryland Department of Health online at marylandhealthconnection.gov, which runs the program as Maryland Medical Assistance. Processing time: federal 45-day standard; MDH does not publish a state-specific timeline (90 days if a disability decision is needed).
Who runs Medicaid in Maryland?
Maryland Department of Health, which runs the program as Maryland Medical Assistance. The official page and application link are cited below — always act through them.
Does Maryland make new residents wait for Medicaid?
No state may impose a residency waiting period for Medicaid. You apply as soon as you live in Maryland; eligibility is decided on Maryland's own rules.
Where do I report that I'm leaving Maryland?
Contact Maryland Department of Health (official link below) to report the move and close your case effective your move month.
Every move involving Maryland
From Maryland to…
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
To Maryland from…
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Other benefits in Maryland
- SNAP in Maryland
- WIC in Maryland
- Unemployment in Maryland
- TANF in Maryland
- Medicaid in every state
- State benefits statistics
Terms on this page: Federal poverty level (FPL) · Medicaid expansion · Retroactive Medicaid coverage
Official sources
Every fact above was checked against these official pages. Last verified .
- Maryland Department of Health — Medicaid (MMCP) — accessed 2026-08-08