Is your income too high for Medicaid in Louisiana? That’s a very common (and reasonable) question. The first thing to understand is that Medicaid rules aren’t one-size-fits-all. Income limits vary based on who you are, your household size, and which Medicaid program applies to you. Making “too much” for one program doesn’t automatically mean you’re out of options.
Read on to learn about Medicaid income limits, what to do if your income is over the limit, and more.
Medicaid Income Limits Depend on the Program
Louisiana Medicaid includes multiple programs, each with different income limits. Some of the most common include:
- Medicaid Expansion (adults ages 19–64 without Medicare)
- LaCHIP (children’s health coverage)
- LaMOMS (pregnant women)
- Medicaid waiver programs
Because of this, there is no single “monthly income limit” that applies to everyone. See Louisiana Medicaid monthly income limits here.
When Income is Over the Limit
What if it turns out that your income is over the Medicaid income limits in Louisiana? This is where many people get discouraged, but it’s important to pause here.
Being over the Medicaid income limit for one Medicaid program does not mean you’re completely ineligible. Depending on your situation, you may still be eligible for:
- A different Medicaid category
- Transitional Medicaid, if you recently lost coverage due to increased income
- Medically Needy Medicaid (for seniors and people with disabilities)
- Medicaid waivers or long-term care programs
- Subsidized marketplace insurance, if Medicaid isn’t available
How Louisiana Counts Income
There are many ways to measure income, but Medicaid focuses on your gross monthly income – the total amount you earn before taxes or deductions. This may include income from several different sources, like:
- Wages from work
- Social Security
- Pensions
- Disability benefits
- Retirement income
Some income sources may not count, depending on the program. Household size and tax filing status also matter.
When to Get Help
If you’re unsure whether your income exceeds Medicaid income limits (or which program applies to you), here’s our advice. Unless your income is way above the limits, don’t assume you don’t qualify. Verifying your eligibility with an application is often the better bet. Here are some helpful resources to explore as you start your Louisiana Medicaid journey:
You can:
- Call Louisiana Medicaid Customer Service at 888-342-6207
- Review notices in your Medicaid online account
- Speak with a support coordinator or eligibility worker
- Get help from a trusted Medicaid planning or community organization
So, there you have it – the information you need to determine whether you make too much money for Medicaid. We hope you found all the information you were looking for, and we wish you the best as you sort out your next steps.
