MO HealthNet: Income Limits, Eligibility and How to Apply
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MO HealthNet is Missouri's Medicaid program, and it is run by the Missouri Department of Social Services, MO HealthNet Division. Missouri adopted the Affordable Care Act expansion in 2021, by constitutional amendment passed 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 MO HealthNet for Kids, and the application is at mydss.mo.gov/healthcare/apply or 800-392-2161. Every figure below is dated 2026-09-23.
| Program | MO HealthNet |
|---|---|
| Children | MO HealthNet for Kids |
| Agency | Missouri Department of Social Services, MO HealthNet Division |
| Apply | mydss.mo.gov/healthcare/apply · 800-392-2161 |
| Expansion | Yes, since 2021 |
| 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 Missouri
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 (MO HealthNet for Kids), pregnant women, parents, seniors and people with disabilities use other limits that Missouri sets above the federal minimums.
How Missouri compares
Missouri expanded in 2021, later than most; only 2 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, MO HealthNet, is what appears on cards and letters; "Medicaid" may not appear at all, which confuses people who move here.
How to apply for MO HealthNet
- Apply online at mydss.mo.gov/healthcare/apply, or call 800-392-2161. HealthCare.gov also takes Medicaid applications and forwards them to Missouri. There is no enrollment period; any day works.
- Report this month's income.
A MO HealthNet case also qualifies you for a free phone (Missouri carriers, paperwork) and shares documents with Missouri SNAP.
What changes in Missouri
Missouri 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.
Missouri specifics
- Offices serve Kansas City, St. Louis, Springfield and every county; hospitals and health centers also employ enrollment assisters.
Whether MO HealthNet pays for dental or weight-loss drugs is Missouri's choice; see does Medicaid cover.
Common questions
What is the Medicaid income limit in Missouri 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 MO HealthNet for Kids.
Does Missouri have a Medicaid work requirement?
From January 1, 2027, the federal deadline; Missouri 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
- MO HealthNet: 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.