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Pennsylvania Medicaid: 2026 Income Limits and Moving In or Out

Moving TO Pennsylvania

Medical Assistance (MA) (Pennsylvania's Medicaid program) does not accept transferred cases from other states: every new Pennsylvania resident applies fresh through Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (Office of Medical Assistance Programs). There is no waiting period tied to how recently you arrived — eligibility is decided on Pennsylvania's own income and household rules from the day you become a resident.

Leaving Pennsylvania

Leaving Pennsylvania ends your Medical Assistance (MA) (Pennsylvania's Medicaid program) case — no state will take it over. Close the case with Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (Office of Medical Assistance Programs) effective your move month, then apply in your destination state immediately after arriving.

Official agency: Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (Office of Medical Assistance Programs) ↗ (application page)

Pennsylvania Medicaid at a glance

Program nameMedical Assistance (MA)
ACA Medicaid expansionYes — adults covered on income
Adult income limit138% of the federal poverty level
ProcessingFederal 45-day standard (90 days for disability determinations); no PA-specific timeline verified

Pennsylvania Medicaid income limits for adults (2026)

Pennsylvania 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 sizeMonthly income limitYearly 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

Federal source: HHS 2026 Poverty Guidelines (91 FR 1797) (published 2026-01-15)

How to apply for Medicaid in Pennsylvania

Apply with Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (Office of Medical Assistance Programs) online at compass.dhs.pa.gov, which runs the program as Medical Assistance (MA). Go to the official application page ↗

Processing time: Federal 45-day standard (90 days for disability determinations); no PA-specific timeline verified.

Moving with more than one benefit? The relocation checklist orders every step for your move.

Common questions

What is the Medicaid income limit in Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania Medicaid if I move to another state?

No. Medicaid covers residents only, so Pennsylvania coverage ends once you live elsewhere. Report the move to Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (Office of Medical Assistance Programs) 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 Pennsylvania?

Apply with Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (Office of Medical Assistance Programs) online at compass.dhs.pa.gov, which runs the program as Medical Assistance (MA). Processing time: federal 45-day standard (90 days for disability determinations); no PA-specific timeline verified.

Who runs Medicaid in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (Office of Medical Assistance Programs), which runs the program as Medical Assistance (MA). The official page and application link are cited below — always act through them.

Does Pennsylvania make new residents wait for Medicaid?

No state may impose a residency waiting period for Medicaid. You apply as soon as you live in Pennsylvania; eligibility is decided on Pennsylvania's own rules.

Where do I report that I'm leaving Pennsylvania?

Renew coverage and manage your case through the COMPASS portal, or call the Consumer Service Center for Health Care Coverage at 1-866-550-4355; application status can be tracked at trackmybenefits.pa.gov.

Every move involving Pennsylvania

Other benefits in Pennsylvania

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 .

Written by Benefits Transfer Editorial Team

Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor

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