Idaho Medicaid: Income Limits, Eligibility and How to Apply
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Medicaid in Idaho is run by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. Idaho adopted the Affordable Care Act expansion in 2020, so an adult under 65 qualifies on income alone at or below 138% of the poverty guideline: $1,835 a month for one person in 2026. Children are covered through Idaho CHIP, and the application is at idalink.idaho.gov or 877-456-1233. Every figure below is dated 2026-09-23.
| Program | Idaho Medicaid |
|---|---|
| Children | Idaho CHIP |
| Agency | Idaho Department of Health and Welfare |
| Apply | idalink.idaho.gov · 877-456-1233 |
| Expansion | Yes, since 2020 |
| Adult income limit, 2026 | $22,025 a year for one person; $45,540 for four |
| Work requirement | federal deadline January 1, 2027 |
Who qualifies in Idaho
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:
| Household size | Annual income at 138% | Monthly | 100% of poverty (marketplace floor) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $22,025 | $1,835 | $15,960 |
| 2 | $29,863 | $2,489 | $21,640 |
| 3 | $37,702 | $3,142 | $27,320 |
| 4 | $45,540 | $3,795 | $33,000 |
| 5 | $53,378 | $4,448 | $38,680 |
Computed from the 2026 HHS poverty guidelines (January 15, 2026).
Children (Idaho CHIP), pregnant women, parents, seniors and people with disabilities use other limits that Idaho sets above the federal minimums.
How Idaho compares
Idaho expanded in 2020, later than most; only 4 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. Idaho uses the plain "Medicaid" name, so the card and letters say what they are.
How to apply for Idaho Medicaid
- Apply online at idalink.idaho.gov, or call 877-456-1233. HealthCare.gov also takes Medicaid applications and forwards them to Idaho. There is no enrollment period; any day works.
- Report this month's income.
A Idaho Medicaid case also qualifies you for a free phone (Idaho carriers, paperwork) and shares documents with Idaho SNAP.
What changes in Idaho
Idaho 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.
Idaho specifics
- Idaho expanded by ballot initiative in 2018, with coverage starting January 2020.
- Offices serve Boise, Meridian, Nampa and every county; hospitals and health centers also employ enrollment assisters.
Whether Idaho Medicaid pays for dental or weight-loss drugs is Idaho's choice; see does Medicaid cover.
Common questions
What is the Medicaid income limit in Idaho for 2026?
$22,025 a year for one adult, $29,863 for two and $45,540 for four (138% of the 2026 poverty guideline); children go higher through Idaho CHIP.
Does Idaho have a Medicaid work requirement?
From January 1, 2027, the federal deadline; Idaho 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
- Idaho 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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