MassHealth: Income Limits, Eligibility and How to Apply
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MassHealth is Massachusetts's Medicaid program, and it is run by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. Massachusetts adopted the Affordable Care Act expansion in 2014, 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 MassHealth, and the application is at www.mahealthconnector.org or 800-841-2900. Every figure below is dated 2026-09-23.
| Program | MassHealth |
|---|---|
| Children | MassHealth (CHIP funds MassHealth Family Assistance and CommonHealth) |
| Agency | Executive Office of Health and Human Services |
| Apply | www.mahealthconnector.org · 800-841-2900 |
| Expansion | Yes, since 2014 |
| 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 Massachusetts
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 (MassHealth), pregnant women, parents, seniors and people with disabilities use other limits that Massachusetts sets above the federal minimums.
How Massachusetts compares
Massachusetts expanded on the first day it could, January 1, 2014, with the original group of states. 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, MassHealth, is what appears on cards and letters; "Medicaid" may not appear at all, which confuses people who move here.
How to apply for MassHealth
- Apply online at www.mahealthconnector.org, or call 800-841-2900. HealthCare.gov also takes Medicaid applications and forwards them to Massachusetts. There is no enrollment period; any day works.
- Report this month's income.
A MassHealth case also qualifies you for a free phone (Massachusetts carriers, paperwork) and shares documents with Massachusetts SNAP.
What changes in Massachusetts
Massachusetts 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.
Massachusetts specifics
- The Health Safety Net pays hospitals and health centers for uninsured low-income residents regardless of immigration status; it is not insurance but it settles bills.
- Offices serve Boston, Worcester, Springfield and every county; hospitals and health centers also employ enrollment assisters.
Whether MassHealth pays for dental or weight-loss drugs is Massachusetts's choice; see does Medicaid cover.
Common questions
What is the Medicaid income limit in Massachusetts 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 MassHealth.
Does Massachusetts have a Medicaid work requirement?
From January 1, 2027, the federal deadline; Massachusetts 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
- MassHealth: 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.