Iowa Medicaid Income Limits 2026: Chart by Household Size (Iowa Health and Wellness Plan, Hawki)

Iowa HHS says adults 19 to 64 qualify for the Iowa Health and Wellness Plan at income that does not exceed 133% of the federal poverty level, approximately $21,227 a year for one person ($1,768.92 a month) and $28,782 for a household of two (effective April 1, 2026). FedRateCalc's calculation for a household of four is $43,890 a year ($3,657.50 a month), because Iowa HHS prints no larger amounts; children ages 1-18 qualify for Medicaid at 167%, $26,654 a year for one and $55,110 for four. Iowa HHS prints annual amounts only. Figures in bold come from the state agency's own chart, effective April 1, 2026; figures in italic are FedRateCalc's calculation from the state's percentage and the 2026 poverty guidelines, not from federal averages or the old Medicaid.gov table.

Maintained by Archie Chang · Charts and sources checked October 30, 2026 · Methodology & sources

Check your income

$

Enter the whole household's countable income. States count income with MAGI rules, so this is a starting point, not a decision.

Result

Your income is at or below Iowa's calculated amount for this group.

Your income, a year
$18,000
Household size used in the chart
1
Iowa calculated amount, a year, 133%
$21,227
Iowa calculated amount, a month
$1,768.92
Calculated amount plus 5 percent of FPL, a year
$22,024.80

This is not an eligibility decision. Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) decides what income counts (MAGI rules), who is in the household and the final result. Apply to find out: Iowa HHS: Apply for Medicaid.

Iowa Medicaid income limit chart, 2026

Monthly and annual limits by household size for each group the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) prints. Bold figures are printed by the state; italic figures are FedRateCalc's calculation (a monthly figure times 12, an annual figure divided by 12, or, for the groups marked "Computed by FedRateCalc", the state's percentage times the 2026 poverty guideline, divided by 12 and rounded to a dollar). The state chart effective date is April 1, 2026.

Medicaid income limits by household size and coverage group
Household sizeIowa Health and Wellness Plan, adults 19 to 64 (133% FPL; sizes 1 and 2 are Iowa HHS's figures, sizes 3 to 8 FedRateCalc's calculation)133%Computed by FedRateCalcEffective April 1, 2026Pregnancy and postpartum care (215%, FedRateCalc's calculation on the 2026 guideline)215%Computed by FedRateCalcEffective April 1, 2026 (percentage)Infants birth to age 1 (300%)300%Effective April 1, 2026Children ages 1-18, Medicaid (167%)167%Effective 2026 Hawki income guidelines (the PDF prints no date)Hawki, children under 19 (top of the medical band, 302%)302%Effective 2026 Hawki income guidelines (the PDF prints no date)
1$1,769 a month$21,227 a yearnot listed$3,990 a month$47,880 a year$2,221 a month$26,654 a year$4,017 a month$48,199 a year
2$2,399 a month$28,782 a year$3,877 a month$46,526 a year$5,410 a month$64,920 a year$3,012 a month$36,139 a year$5,446 a month$65,353 a year
3$3,028 a month$36,336 a year$4,895 a month$58,738 a year$6,830 a month$81,960 a year$3,802 a month$45,624 a year$6,876 a month$82,506 a year
4$3,658 a month$43,890 a year$5,913 a month$70,950 a year$8,250 a month$99,000 a year$4,593 a month$55,110 a year$8,305 a month$99,660 a year
5$4,287 a month$51,445 a year$6,930 a month$83,162 a year$9,670 a month$116,040 a year$5,383 a month$64,596 a year$9,735 a month$116,814 a year
6$4,917 a month$58,999 a year$7,948 a month$95,374 a year$11,090 a month$133,080 a year$6,173 a month$74,081 a year$11,164 a month$133,967 a year
7$5,546 a month$66,554 a year$8,966 a month$107,586 a year$12,510 a month$150,120 a year$6,964 a month$83,567 a year$12,593 a month$151,121 a year
8$6,176 a month$74,108 a year$9,983 a month$119,798 a year$13,930 a month$167,160 a year$7,754 a month$93,052 a year$14,023 a month$168,274 a year
  • Iowa Health and Wellness Plan, adults 19 to 64 (133% FPL; sizes 1 and 2 are Iowa HHS's figures, sizes 3 to 8 FedRateCalc's calculation): Iowa HHS prints "Approximately $21,227 for an individual" and "Approximately $28,782 for a family of two (or higher, depending on family size)", effective April 1, 2026, and no amount for larger households. The amounts for three to eight people are FedRateCalc's calculation (133% of the 2026 guideline, rounded up to a dollar as Iowa's one- and two-person figures are). The page prints the plain 133%, so the checker shows the 5 point disregard as a separate band.
  • Pregnancy and postpartum care (215%, FedRateCalc's calculation on the 2026 guideline): FedRateCalc's calculation: 215% of the 2026 poverty guideline, per year (chart starts at 2; "If pregnant, include unborn child in household size"). Iowa HHS prints different amounts: $43,946 for two, $55,513 for three, $67,080 for four, $78,647 for five, $90,214 for six, $101,781 for seven and $113,348 for eight, plus $11,567 for each additional person. Those printed amounts equal 215% of the 2024 poverty guideline ($20,440 for two), not of the 2026 guideline, while Iowa HHS's other charts on the same page equal 2026 percentages, so the pregnancy table may not have been updated. Confirm with Iowa HHS.
  • Infants birth to age 1 (300%): Medicaid.gov’s table, as of December 1, 2023, shows 375% for Iowa’s youngest children; Iowa HHS now prints 300%. For each additional person Iowa HHS prints $17,040.
  • Children ages 1-18, Medicaid (167%): From the 2026 Hawki Income Guidelines PDF and the Hawki page table, which agree. The Medicaid Income Guidelines page (effective April 1, 2026) prints $26,654 for one, $36,140 for two, $45,626 for three and $55,112 for four, up to $93,056 for eight, a few dollars above the PDF for sizes 2 to 8 (its figures are the one-person amount plus $9,486 for each additional person).
  • Hawki, children under 19 (top of the medical band, 302%): The top of the highest Hawki band ($20 per child per month, no family pays more than $40 per month). Iowa HHS’s lower Hawki bands are free ($26,655 to $28,888 for one), $10 per child ($28,889 to $38,783) and $20 per child ($38,784 to $48,199).
  • Iowa HHS's Medicaid Income Guidelines page says "All income guidelines provided are effective as of April 1, 2026" and prints annual amounts for children ages 1-18 (167%), infants (300%) and pregnancy and postpartum care (215%). Iowa prints annual amounts only, so the monthly cells on this page are the annual figure divided by 12.
  • Iowa HHS's IHAWP page says an adult must have income that does not exceed 133% of the Federal Poverty Level (effective April 1, 2026), approximately $21,227 for an individual and approximately $28,782 for a family of two, and not be otherwise eligible for Medicaid or Medicare. Iowa HHS's Hawki page says Hawki covers children under 19 in working families who have too much income to qualify for Medicaid.

Chart sources: Iowa HHS: Medicaid Income Guidelines (effective as of April 1, 2026); Iowa HHS: 2026 Hawki Income Guidelines (PDF); Iowa HHS: Iowa Health & Wellness Plan.

How Iowa counts the 5 percent disregard

Federal rules tell states to subtract 5 percentage points of the poverty level from income for the eligibility group with the highest income standard. That is why some state charts print a percentage such as 133% and others print the total, such as 138%.

“Effective January 1, 2014, in determining the eligibility of an individual using MAGI-based income, a state must subtract an amount equivalent to 5 percentage points of the Federal poverty level for the applicable family size only to determine the eligibility of an individual for medical assistance under the eligibility group with the highest income standard using MAGI-based methodologies in the applicable Title of the Act, but not to determine eligibility for a particular eligibility group.”
42 CFR 435.603(d)(4) (source)

The household size in the chart for a pregnant woman counts the children she is expected to deliver:

“In the case of determining the family size of a pregnant woman, the pregnant woman is counted as herself plus the number of children she is expected to deliver. In the case of determining the family size of other individuals who have a pregnant woman in their household, the pregnant woman is counted, at State option, as either 1 or 2 person(s) or as herself plus the number of children she is expected to deliver.”
42 CFR 435.603(b), definition of family size (source)

In Iowa's chart, the amounts for Iowa Health and Wellness Plan, adults 19 to 64 (133% FPL; sizes 1 and 2 are Iowa HHS's figures, sizes 3 to 8 FedRateCalc's calculation); Pregnancy and postpartum care (215%, FedRateCalc's calculation on the 2026 guideline); Infants birth to age 1 (300%); Children ages 1-18, Medicaid (167%); Hawki, children under 19 (top of the medical band, 302%) are the plain percentage. The checker above adds 5 percent of the 2026 guideline to those amounts as its own calculation to show income that is just over the printed amount.

Iowa Medicaid programs and expansion

Iowa HHS says the Iowa Health and Wellness Plan (IHAWP) covers individuals ages 19-64 with income at or below 133% of the Federal Poverty Level who are not eligible for Medicaid under the mandatory coverage groups. Medicaid.gov's table, as of December 1, 2023, shows 133% for Iowa.

  • Iowa Health Link. Iowa HHS says most Iowa Medicaid members are enrolled in the Iowa Health Link managed care program, which gives health coverage through a Managed Care Organization (MCO) that the member chooses.
  • Iowa Health and Wellness Plan (IHAWP). IHAWP covers adults 19 to 64 with income at or below 133% of the Federal Poverty Level; Iowa HHS says there are no charges for health services during a member’s first year, and small monthly contributions may be required, depending on completion of Healthy Behaviors and family income, from the second year.
  • Healthy and Well Kids in Iowa (Hawki). Hawki is Iowa’s CHIP: it covers children under 19 with income at or below 302% FPL, with premiums based on family income; no family pays more than $40 per month and some families pay nothing.

How to apply for Medicaid in Iowa

Iowa HHS says you can apply online through the Iowa HHS Self-Service Portal, in person at a local HHS office or a federally qualified health center, by phone at 1-855-889-7985, or by mailing a completed application to Imaging Center 4, PO Box 2027, Cedar Rapids, IA 52406. You can also apply through the Marketplace at HealthCare.gov, which sends your information to the state agency if you may qualify.

Iowa HHS: Apply for Medicaid · HealthCare.gov Medicaid and CHIP

Iowa Medicaid changes in 2027

Iowa HHS says certain Iowa Health and Wellness Plan members must meet monthly community engagement requirements by December 1, 2026, with the rule applying to new applicants on or after that date and to current members at renewals on or after February 2027.

“By December 1, 2026, certain Iowa Health and Wellness Plan (IHWAP) members must meet monthly requirements to enroll and maintain coverage. These requirements are designed to encourage work and community involvement. Community engagement requirements apply to adults aged 19 to 64 who don't meet an exclusion.”
Iowa HHS, IHAWP Community Engagement Requirements (source)
“These requirements take effect December 1, 2026, for individuals who apply on or after that date. Applicants must meet the requirement for the month immediately preceding their application month.”
Iowa HHS, IHAWP Community Engagement Requirements, FAQ (source)
“These requirements apply to active IHAWP members with renewal dates on or after February 2027.”
Iowa HHS, IHAWP Community Engagement Requirements, FAQ (source)
“Some people on the IHAWP program are excluded from these new requirements. These groups include: American Indians/Alaska Natives Those under 19 or over 64 Individuals who are medically frail or otherwise have special medical needs NOTE: The state may require medical documentation for the medically frail exclusion. Pregnant or had a baby in the last 12 months while on Iowa Medicaid Caregivers of children under 14 or someone with a disability Participating in a drug or alcohol treatment program Participants in SNAP or FIP work programs Veterans rated as totally disabled Individuals currently or recently in jail or prison”
Iowa HHS, IHAWP Community Engagement Requirements, FAQ (source)

The federal law behind these changes, Public Law 119-21, is explained with its exemptions and dates on the Medicaid income limits page. The income limits in the table above do not change because of it.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Iowa Medicaid income limit in 2026?

Iowa HHS says adults 19 to 64 qualify for the Iowa Health and Wellness Plan at income that does not exceed 133% of the federal poverty level, approximately $21,227 a year for one person ($1,768.92 a month) and $28,782 for a household of two (effective April 1, 2026). FedRateCalc's calculation for a household of four is $43,890 a year ($3,657.50 a month), because Iowa HHS prints no larger amounts; children ages 1-18 qualify for Medicaid at 167%, $26,654 a year for one and $55,110 for four. Iowa HHS prints annual amounts only.

Did Iowa expand Medicaid?

Iowa HHS says the Iowa Health and Wellness Plan (IHAWP) covers individuals ages 19-64 with income at or below 133% of the Federal Poverty Level who are not eligible for Medicaid under the mandatory coverage groups. Medicaid.gov's table, as of December 1, 2023, shows 133% for Iowa.

How do I apply for Medicaid in Iowa?

Iowa HHS says you can apply online through the Iowa HHS Self-Service Portal, in person at a local HHS office or a federally qualified health center, by phone at 1-855-889-7985, or by mailing a completed application to Imaging Center 4, PO Box 2027, Cedar Rapids, IA 52406. You can also apply through the Marketplace at HealthCare.gov, which sends your information to the state agency if you may qualify.

What changes for Iowa Medicaid in 2027?

Iowa HHS says certain Iowa Health and Wellness Plan members must meet monthly community engagement requirements by December 1, 2026, with the rule applying to new applicants on or after that date and to current members at renewals on or after February 2027. The charts on this page are 2026 charts; the community engagement requirement and six-month renewals are separate from the income limits.

Do the same limits apply to Iowa seniors and people with disabilities?

No. Medicaid for people who are aged, blind or disabled uses different income and resource rules from the MAGI groups in this chart. Ask the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) or see Medicare vs Medicaid on this site.

How often does Iowa update its Medicaid income limits?

The charts follow the federal poverty guidelines, which HHS updates each year, and Iowa's source on this page is dated April 1, 2026. FedRateCalc will look for Iowa's 2027 chart after HHS publishes the 2027 guidelines.

Related pages

FedRateCalc is not a government site and cannot decide eligibility. Charts change when the state updates them; confirm with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) before relying on a figure.

Sources

All sources are government pages, read October 30, 2026. The Medicaid.gov table is dated December 1, 2023 and is used only as a cross-check.