Louisiana Medicaid: Income Limits, Eligibility and How to Apply
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Medicaid in Louisiana is run by the Louisiana Department of Health. Louisiana adopted the Affordable Care Act expansion in 2016, 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 LaCHIP, and the application is at sspweb.lameds.ldh.la.gov/selfservice or 888-342-6207. Every figure below is dated 2026-09-23.
| Program | Healthy Louisiana |
|---|---|
| Children | LaCHIP |
| Agency | Louisiana Department of Health |
| Apply | sspweb.lameds.ldh.la.gov/selfservice · 888-342-6207 |
| Expansion | Yes, since 2016 |
| Adult income limit, 2026 | $22,025 a year for one person; $45,540 for four |
| Work requirement | federal deadline January 1, 2027 |
| Plans | Nearly all members are in a Healthy Louisiana health plan. |
Who qualifies in Louisiana
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 (LaCHIP), pregnant women, parents, seniors and people with disabilities use other limits that Louisiana sets above the federal minimums.
How Louisiana compares
Louisiana expanded in 2016, later than most; only 9 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. The program's own name, Healthy Louisiana, is what appears on cards and letters; "Medicaid" may not appear at all, which confuses people who move here.
How to apply for Healthy Louisiana
- Apply online at sspweb.lameds.ldh.la.gov/selfservice, or call 888-342-6207. HealthCare.gov also takes Medicaid applications and forwards them to Louisiana. There is no enrollment period; any day works.
- Report this month's income. Choose a plan when asked, or one is assigned.
A Healthy Louisiana case also qualifies you for a free phone (Louisiana carriers, paperwork) and shares documents with Louisiana SNAP.
What changes in Louisiana
Louisiana 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.
Louisiana specifics
- Offices serve New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport and every county; hospitals and health centers also employ enrollment assisters.
Whether Healthy Louisiana pays for dental or weight-loss drugs is Louisiana's choice; see does Medicaid cover.
Common questions
What is the Medicaid income limit in Louisiana 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 LaCHIP.
Does Louisiana have a Medicaid work requirement?
From January 1, 2027, the federal deadline; Louisiana 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
- Healthy Louisiana: 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
Gov-Grants.org is an independent guide, not a carrier and not a government agency. We never charge fees, and every fact above links to its source with the date we checked it. Program details change; confirm on the official site before applying.