Louisiana Medicaid Income Limits 2026: LaCHIP, LaMOMS

Applying is free, and Medicaid is health coverage, not a cash payment. To compare Louisiana with other states, see our national Medicaid income limits guide.

Louisiana Medicaid Income Limits by Household Size (2026)

Louisiana publishes 9 program limits on one LDH table, all effective March 1, 2026, and the right one depends on age, pregnancy and whether a child already has insurance. Every figure is gross monthly income, before taxes. According to LDH's 2026 table, a household of four can have up to $3,795 a month for an adult on Medicaid expansion, $5,968 for a child on free LaCHIP and $7,013 for a child on the LaCHIP Affordable Plan.

Adults, parents and pregnancy

Sources: LDH Monthly Income Limits for Medicaid Programs (opens in a new tab), effective March 1, 2026, for the expansion and LaMOMS columns. LDH leaves the one-person LaMOMS cell blank because a pregnant woman counts herself and her unborn child. Columns marked \ come from Medicaid Eligibility Manual chart Z-200 (opens in a new tab), "For Programs Changing Effective March 1, 2026," which also gives each additional-person amount. Z-200 describes the parent limit as 19% plus the 5% disregard, the expansion and LaMOMS limits as 133% plus 5%, and the unborn option as 209% plus 5%.*

Children and children with disabilities

Sources: LDH 2026 income limits table for the LaCHIP, Affordable Plan and Family Opportunity Act columns; chart Z-200 for the 147% column, which Z-200 lists for children's Medicaid type case 14 (142% plus the 5% disregard) and for uninsured children ages 6 to 19 between 108% and 147%. The LaCHIP page (opens in a new tab) says a child must be under 19 and uninsured. The Affordable Plan charges a monthly premium.

Yearly equivalents

LDH publishes monthly figures only. Grantsights multiplied the March 1, 2026 monthly limits by 12, so the yearly numbers below are calculated, not printed by LDH.

Seniors, disability, Medicare and long-term care

Sources: Z-700, SIL Rate, Resource Limits and Personal Care Needs Allowance (opens in a new tab); Z-400, Federal Benefit Rate (opens in a new tab); LDH 2026 income limits table; LDH Medicare Savings Program page (opens in a new tab); LDH Medicaid Purchase Plan page (opens in a new tab).

How Louisiana Counts Your Income

Louisiana uses 2 income systems, and the group you fall into decides which one applies.

MAGI rules cover adults 19 to 64, parents and caretakers, pregnant women and children, including LaCHIP. Income follows the federal tax definition: wages, net self-employment profit, unemployment pay and taxable Social Security count, while child support you receive and SSI don't. The household is built from your tax return: you, a spouse and the people you claim. A pregnant woman counts herself plus each baby she's expecting. MAGI groups don't look at savings, cars or property at all.

The 5% disregard is why the numbers end in 138%, 147% and 217% instead of round figures. Chart Z-200 shows the base limit for expansion adults as 133% of poverty, with 5% added on top. According to the 2026 HHS poverty guidelines data, 100% of poverty for one person is $15,960 a year, or $1,330 a month, so the 5% disregard adds about $66 and the expansion line sits at $1,836 instead of roughly $1,769.

Non-MAGI rules cover SSI-related Medicaid, nursing home care, home and community-based waivers, the Medicare Savings Program and the Medicaid Purchase Plan. These follow SSI-style counting. Section H-800 of the Medicaid Eligibility Manual says the nursing home and waiver test compares gross earned and unearned income, before deductions, to the $2,982 special income level.

For example, a family of three in Louisiana earning $3,300 a month gross (a parent and two kids, ages 4 and 10) gets split answers. The parent is specifically $158 over the $3,142 expansion limit, so the parent doesn't qualify. Both children do: $3,300 is under the $4,941 free LaCHIP limit for three, as long as the kids have no other insurance. The parent can shop on the federal Marketplace, where Louisiana residents buy coverage through HealthCare.gov.

Louisiana Medicaid Asset Limits

$2,000 is the resource limit for one person in nursing home, waiver and PACE coverage, and $3,000 applies to a couple, according to chart Z-700 (effective January 1, 2026). Those figures haven't moved since at least 2002 in Z-700's own history table, while the income side has climbed from $1,635 to $2,982.

The rest of Louisiana's asset rules are looser than many readers expect:

• No asset test for expansion adults, parents, pregnant women, LaCHIP or children's Medicaid. LDH's Get Covered page notes that most people won't need to report resources.
• No resource test for QMB, SLMB or QI. According to the LDH Medicare Savings Program page, resources are disregarded for those three groups. Only QDWI has a limit, set at twice the SSI resource amount.
• Medicaid Purchase Plan: countable assets under $25,000, with your home and one vehicle not counted, according to LDH's program page.

When the special income level is exceeded, section H-800 directs eligibility workers to keep checking the person under the Spend-Down Medically Needy program, so going over $2,982 isn't the end of a nursing home application. Moving money or property for less than its value before applying can delay coverage, so families planning for long-term care should talk with a legal aid office or an elder law attorney first.

Expansion vs Non-Expansion: Louisiana's Position in 2026

Louisiana expanded Medicaid with coverage starting July 1, 2016, according to an LDH news release from October 20, 2016 (opens in a new tab), which reported more than 326,000 new members by that fall. That's why adults 19 to 64 qualify at 138% of poverty whether or not they have children. The Medicaid.gov eligibility levels table (opens in a new tab) (as of December 1, 2023) lists Louisiana at 133% for expansion adults, 19% for parents and caretakers, 133% for pregnant women, 212% for children's Medicaid and 250% for separate CHIP; those are base percentages before the 5% disregard.

In a non-expansion state, an adult without children usually can't get Medicaid at any income; our Texas Medicaid income limits guide shows how that works, and Florida is another non-expansion state. Other expansion states are covered in our Ohio and Illinois guides.

What changes on January 1, 2027. According to the LDH work requirements page, the July 2025 federal law brings these changes to Louisiana Medicaid:

• Work or community engagement requirement for adults 19 to 64 covered through expansion who aren't exempt. They'll need 80 hours a month of work, a work program, volunteering or community service, or school at least half time, or monthly earnings of at least $580. A mix of activities counts if the hours add up in the same month.
• When it's checked: at application in 2027 (activities in the month before applying) and at renewal (at least one month since the last renewal). LDH says members renewing in January 2027 got a notice in May 2026 and get a renewal packet in November 2026.
• Shorter retroactive coverage. Most adults 19 to 64 will have 1 month of possible retroactive coverage instead of 3; children, adults 65 and older and people with disabilities keep up to 2 months.
• Data checks first. LDH says it will use employment and Social Security records so most affected members won't need paperwork. Its January 2026 work requirements fact sheet (opens in a new tab) estimated 297,441 members in the affected group, of whom 86,564 already had LDH-verified earned income.

Exemptions LDH lists include people under 19 or 65 and older; former foster youth under 26; people released from incarceration in the last 3 months; people who are blind, disabled or medically frail; veterans with a total disability rating; pregnant or postpartum women; Native Americans and Alaska Natives eligible for Indian Health Service; people in substance use treatment; parents or guardians of a child under 14; caregivers of a person with a disability; people meeting SNAP work rules; and anyone enrolled in or entitled to Medicare Part A or B. None of these changes alter the dollar limits above.

What LDH Doesn't Tell You About the Income Limits

Grantsights found 5 gaps between the way LDH publishes its limits and the way they play out for a real household:

1. The parent limit looks impossible, but most parents use the adult line. The parent and caretaker group stops at $547 a month for three people. Grantsights analysis of the March 2026 Z-200 chart shows the expansion group allows $2,595 more a month for that same household ($3,142 versus $547), so a working parent who reads only the 24% figure may wrongly think they're shut out.
2. LaCHIP depends on being uninsured. According to the LaCHIP program page, a child can't currently have health insurance, and that condition isn't printed on the income table. A family whose kids are on a parent's job plan shouldn't assume the $4,941 or $5,968 LaCHIP lines apply to them.
3. The Affordable Plan stretches far above the adult limit. Grantsights analysis of the 2026 LDH table found the LaCHIP Affordable Plan for a family of four reaches $7,013 a month, $3,218 above the $3,795 adult expansion line. Many families underestimate how much they can earn before their kids lose public coverage.
4. Two pregnancy limits. LaMOMS stops at 138%, but the LaCHIP unborn option on chart Z-200 reaches 214%, or $4,873 a month for three. A pregnant woman just over the LaMOMS line should still apply.
5. The 2025 denial may not hold. The one-person adult limit rose from $1,800 (March 1, 2025 chart) to $1,836, and the four-person limit from $3,698 to $3,795, according to the year-by-year pages in Z-200.

Common Mistakes and Red Flags

Most wrong answers about Louisiana eligibility come from a handful of errors:

• Using take-home pay. Every limit above is gross income. Taxes don't come off; pre-tax retirement and health premiums do.
• Counting the wrong household. A common mistake is leaving out an expected baby or adding a roommate who isn't on your tax return.
• Skipping the kids after a parent is denied. Each person is checked on their own, and LaCHIP's limits sit far above the adult line.
• Ignoring Medicare Savings Programs because of savings. QMB, SLMB and QI have no resource test in Louisiana, so a senior with money in the bank can still get Part B premium help.
• Paying someone to apply. Applying for Medicaid, LaCHIP or LaMOMS is free. A red flag is any website, caller or "benefits service" that asks for a fee, gift cards or a bank login to file for you.
• Missing mail from Medicaid. LDH warns that failing to respond to its requests can close coverage even when you're still eligible. Keep your address current at MyMedicaid (opens in a new tab), by texting INFO to 72147 or by calling 1-888-342-6207.

How to Apply for Louisiana Medicaid and How Long It Takes

Federal rules give states 45 days to decide most Medicaid applications and 90 days when the application is based on disability, under 42 CFR 435.912 (opens in a new tab). LDH's Get Covered page (opens in a new tab) lists four ways to apply:

1. Online: through the LDH Self-Service Portal (opens in a new tab), which also takes document uploads.
2. By phone: 1-888-342-6207, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For LaCHIP Affordable Plan questions, LDH lists 1-877-252-2447 (1-877-2LACHIP).
3. In person: at a regional Medicaid office (open weekdays 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) or a local application center; call ahead, since many need an appointment.
4. By mail: print the Application for Families and Individuals, or the Long Term Care Application, and mail it to the address on the form.

Have Social Security numbers, pay stubs or W-2s, and any current insurance policy numbers ready. Nursing home and senior applications also need bank, vehicle and life insurance records. If you also need food help, our Louisiana food stamps guide covers SNAP, which uses different limits.

What to Do If You're Denied

90 days is the most time federal rules let any state give for requesting a fair hearing, under 42 CFR 431.221 (opens in a new tab), and your Louisiana notice states your exact deadline. LDH's How to Appeal Medicaid page (opens in a new tab) says to file by the date on the notice, and that if you appeal within 10 days of the denial your current services won't stop while the appeal is reviewed.

You can appeal online, by writing to the Division of Administrative Law, Health and Hospitals Section, P.O. Box 4189, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-4189, by fax to 225-219-9823, or by phone at 225-342-5800 (LDH says phone appeals are allowed but not recommended). If your issue is with a Healthy Louisiana health plan, appeal with the plan first. Disability Rights Louisiana (800-960-7705) can help at no cost.

Start with the reason on the notice. If it's income, compare LDH's figure with your gross pay and household size, and check whether the 5% disregard was applied. Out-of-date pay stubs and a missing household member are both fixable.

If You're Over the Louisiana Medicaid Limit

A Louisiana adult who lands $100 over the $1,836 line has at least 6 other routes to check. For a family with uninsured children, LaCHIP is usually the best bet, since its free tier runs to $4,941 a month for three, $1,799 above the adult limit.

• Marketplace coverage: Louisiana uses HealthCare.gov, and adults over 138% of poverty can get premium tax credits; see HealthCare.gov's savings page (opens in a new tab). Losing Medicaid opens a special enrollment period.
• LaCHIP and the Affordable Plan for uninsured kids up to 255% of poverty.
• Medicare Savings Programs if you have Medicare: Part B premium help up to $1,796 a month for one person, with no resource test.
• Medicaid Purchase Plan for workers with disabilities, with assets under $25,000.
• WIC food benefits for pregnancy, new moms and kids under 5, covered in our WIC income limits guide.
• SSI and senior services for older Louisianans and people with disabilities: start with our SSI income limits guide, then the help for seniors programs guide.

To see where 138%, 217% and 255% fall in dollars for other programs, use our federal poverty guidelines guide; the SNAP income limits guide explains the food benefit side, and the Missouri guide shows another expansion state's chart. For Louisiana bills beyond doctor visits, such as rent or a utility shutoff, the free eligibility checker from Grantsights lists official programs to contact. It won't tell you whether LDH will approve Medicaid, and it doesn't submit applications; it points you to the agency that does.

FAQ: Louisiana Medicaid Income Limits

What is the income limit for Louisiana Medicaid in 2026?

$1,836 a month for one adult and $3,795 for four, effective March 1, 2026.

How much can a family of 4 make and get Medicaid in Louisiana?

$3,795 a month for the adults; free LaCHIP for uninsured kids up to $5,968; the Affordable Plan up to $7,013.

What is the LaMOMS income limit for pregnant women in Louisiana?

$2,489 a month for a household of two and $3,142 for three, with a LaCHIP unborn option up to 214% of poverty.

What is the LaCHIP income limit in Louisiana?

$4,941 a month for three and $5,968 for four on free LaCHIP.

What is the income limit for nursing home Medicaid in Louisiana?

$2,982 a month for one person in 2026, with a $2,000 resource limit.

Does Louisiana Medicaid have an asset limit?

Only for nursing home, waiver, QDWI and Medicaid Purchase Plan coverage.

When do Louisiana Medicaid work requirements start?

January 1, 2027, for expansion adults who aren't exempt.

How long do I have to appeal a Louisiana Medicaid denial?

The deadline is on your notice; appeal within 10 days to keep services during the appeal.

---

Sources

1. Louisiana Department of Health: Monthly Income Limits for Medicaid Programs (opens in a new tab) - 2026 Program Limits by Family Size, effective March 1, 2026
2. Louisiana Medicaid Eligibility Manual, Chart Z-200: Federal Poverty Income Guidelines (opens in a new tab) - March 1, 2026 and March 1, 2025 charts, issued January 30, 2026
3. Louisiana Medicaid Eligibility Manual, Chart Z-700: SIL Rate, Resource Limits and Personal Care Needs Allowance (opens in a new tab) - reissued January 7, 2026
4. Louisiana Medicaid Eligibility Manual, Chart Z-400: Federal Benefit Rate (opens in a new tab) - 2026 SSI rates
5. Louisiana Medicaid Eligibility Manual, Section H-800: Special Income Level (opens in a new tab) - reissued January 6, 2026
6. LDH: Medicaid Work or Community Engagement Requirements (opens in a new tab)
7. LDH: Louisiana Medicaid Work Requirements Fact Sheet (opens in a new tab), January 2026
8. LDH: LaCHIP (opens in a new tab), LaCHIP Affordable Plan (opens in a new tab) and LaMOMS (opens in a new tab)
9. LDH: Medicare Savings Program (opens in a new tab) and Medicaid Purchase Plan (opens in a new tab)
10. LDH: Get Covered (opens in a new tab) - application methods
11. LDH: How to Appeal Medicaid (opens in a new tab)
12. LDH News: Louisiana Medicaid Expansion Enrollment Exceeds 326,000 New Members (opens in a new tab), October 20, 2016
13. HHS ASPE: 2026 Poverty Guidelines (opens in a new tab)
14. eCFR: 42 CFR 435.912, Timely determinations (opens in a new tab)
15. eCFR: 42 CFR 431.221, Request for hearing (opens in a new tab)
16. Medicaid.gov: Medicaid, CHIP and BHP Eligibility Levels (opens in a new tab), as of December 1, 2023
17. HealthCare.gov: Lower costs on Marketplace coverage (opens in a new tab)