Benefits Category
Healthcare
Over 90 million Americans are covered by Medicaid and CHIP — the country's largest health insurance programs. If your income has dropped recently, you may qualify for coverage you didn't before. Unlike ACA marketplace plans, Medicaid has no open enrollment period: you can apply any day of the year and coverage can begin the same month.
Healthcare assistance in the US comes from multiple overlapping sources. Medicaid covers very low-income individuals and families at little or no cost. The ACA marketplace offers subsidized private insurance, with premium tax credits averaging over $500/month in savings. CHIP provides low-cost coverage for children in families above Medicaid limits. Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) serve anyone regardless of insurance status on a sliding fee scale based on income.
Tips for Applying
- →Apply for Medicaid year-round through your state's Medicaid agency or on healthcare.gov — there is no open enrollment restriction.
- →ACA marketplace open enrollment runs November 1 through January 15. A qualifying life event (job loss, marriage, birth) opens a 60-day special enrollment window any time of year.
- →If you have no insurance and need care now, find a Federally Qualified Health Center (findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov) — they see all patients regardless of insurance or income.
- →Children may qualify for CHIP at significantly higher income levels than their parents qualify for Medicaid.
- →If you are on Medicare and have limited income, apply for Extra Help to lower your Part D prescription costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income limit for Medicaid?
In the 40 states (plus DC) that expanded Medicaid under the ACA, adults qualify with income up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level — about $20,783/year for an individual or $43,056 for a family of four in 2024. Non-expansion states have lower limits and generally restrict Medicaid to children, pregnant women, seniors, and people with disabilities.
Can I get health insurance if I missed open enrollment?
If you have a qualifying life event — losing job-based insurance, getting married or divorced, having a baby, moving to a new state, gaining citizenship — you have 60 days from the event to enroll in a marketplace plan outside open enrollment. If you qualify for Medicaid or CHIP, you can enroll any time of year with no life-event requirement.
Are there free or reduced-cost clinics if I have no insurance?
Yes. Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) provide primary care, dental, mental health, and other services on a sliding fee scale — some patients pay $0. Find one at findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov. Many hospital systems also have charity care programs that forgive or reduce bills for uninsured patients with low income.
Step-by-step guide
How to Apply for Medicaid
Documents needed, application steps, and what to expect after you apply.
Read the Guide →Not sure what you qualify for?
Our quiz considers income, age, household, and more to show personalized results.
Take the Quiz →Check income eligibility
Many healthcare programs use FPL income limits. Calculate your percentage.
FPL Calculator →