Alaska Medicaid: Income Limits, Eligibility and How to Apply
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Medicaid in Alaska is run by the Alaska Department of Health, Division of Public Assistance. Alaska adopted the Affordable Care Act expansion in 2015, so an adult under 65 qualifies on income alone at or below 138% of the poverty guideline: $2,294 a month for one person in 2026. Children are covered through Denali KidCare, and the application is at www.healthcare.gov or 800-478-7778. Every figure below is dated 2026-09-23.
| Program | Alaska Medicaid |
|---|---|
| Children | Denali KidCare |
| Agency | Alaska Department of Health, Division of Public Assistance |
| Apply | www.healthcare.gov · 800-478-7778 |
| Expansion | Yes, since 2015 |
| Adult income limit, 2026 | $27,531 a year for one person; $56,925 for four |
| Work requirement | federal deadline January 1, 2027 |
Who qualifies in Alaska
Adults 19 to 64 not on Medicare qualify at or below 138% of poverty (133% plus a 5% disregard), on household modified adjusted gross income, with no asset test. The 2026 figures, using Alaska's own poverty guideline,:
| Household size | Annual income at 138% | Monthly | 100% of poverty (marketplace floor) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $27,531 | $2,294 | $19,950 |
| 2 | $37,329 | $3,111 | $27,050 |
| 3 | $47,127 | $3,927 | $34,150 |
| 4 | $56,925 | $4,744 | $41,250 |
| 5 | $66,723 | $5,560 | $48,350 |
Computed from the 2026 HHS poverty guidelines (January 15, 2026).
Children (Denali KidCare), pregnant women, parents, seniors and people with disabilities use other limits that Alaska sets above the federal minimums.
How Alaska compares
Alaska expanded in 2015, later than most; only 11 states have done so since. On the work requirement it is not among the early starters (Arkansas, Iowa, Montana, Nebraska), so members have until January 1, 2027. Alaska uses the plain "Medicaid" name, so the card and letters say what they are.
How to apply for Alaska Medicaid
- Apply online at www.healthcare.gov, or call 800-478-7778. HealthCare.gov also takes Medicaid applications and forwards them to Alaska. There is no enrollment period; any day works.
- Report this month's income.
A Alaska Medicaid case also qualifies you for a free phone (Alaska carriers, paperwork) and shares documents with Alaska SNAP.
What changes in Alaska
Alaska has not announced a start date for the federal work requirement, so it takes effect on the federal deadline, January 1, 2027. Six-month renewals for expansion adults begin with renewals scheduled on or after January 1, 2027. The nationwide changes are on the hub with CMS sources.
Alaska specifics
- Alaska directs online applicants to HealthCare.gov, which forwards the application to the state; Alaska's higher poverty guideline raises every income limit.
- Offices serve Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau and every county; hospitals and health centers also employ enrollment assisters.
Whether Alaska Medicaid pays for dental or weight-loss drugs is Alaska's choice; see does Medicaid cover.
Common questions
What is the Medicaid income limit in Alaska for 2026?
$27,531 a year for one adult, $37,329 for two and $56,925 for four (138% of the 2026 poverty guideline for Alaska); children go higher through Denali KidCare.
Does Alaska have a Medicaid work requirement?
From January 1, 2027, the federal deadline; Alaska has not set an earlier date. It applies to expansion adults 19 to 64 at 80 hours a month, with exemptions listed on the hub.
Sources
- Alaska Medicaid: state program page
- HHS: 2026 poverty guidelines
- HealthCare.gov: Medicaid expansion and you (138%)
- Federal Register: community engagement interim final rule (June 3, 2026)
- CMS: 2025 law section-by-section overview
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