Louisiana Medicaid Income Limits 2026: Chart by Household Size (Adults, Parents, LaCHIP)

Louisiana's own chart, effective March 1, 2026, lets one adult have up to $1,836 a month and a household of four up to $3,795 a month for adults, which is 138% of the federal poverty level. Every figure below comes from the state agency's own chart, effective March 1, 2026, 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 Louisiana's chart amount for this group.

Your income, a year
$18,000
Household size used in the chart
1
Louisiana chart amount, a year, 138%
$22,032
Louisiana chart amount, a month
$1,836

This is not an eligibility decision. Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) decides what income counts (MAGI rules), who is in the household and the final result. Apply to find out: MyMedicaid.LA.gov (Louisiana Medicaid online application).

Louisiana Medicaid income limit chart, 2026

Monthly and annual limits by household size for each group the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) 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). The state chart effective date is March 1, 2026.

Medicaid income limits by household size and coverage group
Household sizeAdult Group (Medicaid expansion; also Take Charge Plus)138%Effective March 1, 2026Parents/Caretakers24%Effective March 1, 2026Pregnant women138%Effective March 1, 2026Children (LaCHIP IV Unborn Option)214%Effective March 1, 2026Children (LaCHIP)217%Effective March 1, 2026Children (LaCHIP Affordable Plan)255%Effective March 1, 2026
1$1,836 a month$22,032 a year$320 a month$3,840 a year$1,836 a month$22,032 a year$2,847 a month$34,164 a year$2,887 a month$34,644 a year$3,392 a month$40,704 a year
2$2,489 a month$29,868 a year$433 a month$5,196 a year$2,489 a month$29,868 a year$3,860 a month$46,320 a year$3,914 a month$46,968 a year$4,599 a month$55,188 a year
3$3,142 a month$37,704 a year$547 a month$6,564 a year$3,142 a month$37,704 a year$4,873 a month$58,476 a year$4,941 a month$59,292 a year$5,806 a month$69,672 a year
4$3,795 a month$45,540 a year$660 a month$7,920 a year$3,795 a month$45,540 a year$5,885 a month$70,620 a year$5,968 a month$71,616 a year$7,013 a month$84,156 a year
5$4,449 a month$53,388 a year$774 a month$9,288 a year$4,449 a month$53,388 a year$6,898 a month$82,776 a year$6,995 a month$83,940 a year$8,220 a month$98,640 a year
6$5,102 a month$61,224 a year$888 a month$10,656 a year$5,102 a month$61,224 a year$7,911 a month$94,932 a year$8,022 a month$96,264 a year$9,427 a month$113,124 a year
7$5,755 a month$69,060 a year$1,001 a month$12,012 a year$5,755 a month$69,060 a year$8,924 a month$107,088 a year$9,049 a month$108,588 a year$10,634 a month$127,608 a year
8$6,408 a month$76,896 a year$1,115 a month$13,380 a year$6,408 a month$76,896 a year$9,937 a month$119,244 a year$10,077 a month$120,924 a year$11,841 a month$142,092 a year
  • Parents/Caretakers: The chart says 24% is 19% of the poverty level plus the 5% disregard. Parents and caretakers can also qualify in the Adult Group at 138%.
  • Children (LaCHIP IV Unborn Option): The chart lists this line as "Children (LaCHIP IV Unborn Option)" at 214% (209% plus the 5% disregard) and says nothing more about who is covered. In FedRateCalc's reading it is the chart's limit for a pregnant woman above the 138% pregnancy line; the state decides whether it applies.
  • The Louisiana Medicaid Eligibility Manual chart Z-200, "Federal Poverty Income Guidelines For Programs Changing Effective March 1, 2026" (issued January 30, 2026), lists monthly amounts for family sizes 1 to 8 at 24%, 100%, 108%, 120%, 135%, 138%, 147%, 160%, 190%, 200%, 214%, 217%, 255% and 300% of the poverty level; the table shows the lines for the groups above.
  • The chart also lists the 100% annual amount ($15,960 for one person, the 2026 guideline) and says to add $5,680 annually for each additional family member. Its percentage notes say 138% is 133% plus the 5% disregard, which is why the amounts in the table already include it.

Chart sources: Louisiana Department of Health: Medicaid Eligibility Manual chart Z-200, Federal Poverty Income Guidelines for programs changing effective March 1, 2026 (issued January 30, 2026).

How Louisiana 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)

In Louisiana's chart, the amounts for Adult Group (Medicaid expansion; also Take Charge Plus); Parents/Caretakers; Pregnant women; Children (LaCHIP IV Unborn Option); Children (LaCHIP); Children (LaCHIP Affordable Plan) already include the 5 points, so the table shows the total and the checker above has no separate step for them.

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)

Louisiana Medicaid programs and expansion

LDH's chart Z-200 lists an Adult Group at 138% of the poverty level (133% plus the 5% disregard), and LDH's work requirements fact sheet calls the group Louisiana's members with coverage through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Medicaid expansion population. Medicaid.gov's table, as of December 1, 2023, shows 133% for Louisiana.

  • Louisiana Medicaid. LDH's chart Z-200 lists the Adult Group (together with Take Charge Plus), Pregnant Women at 138%, Parents/Caretakers at 24%, Transitional Medicaid at 190% and children (Type case 14) at 147%, each with the 5% disregard written into the percentage.
  • LaCHIP. The chart lists Children (LaCHIP) at 217% (212% plus the 5% disregard) and the LaCHIP IV Unborn Option at 214% (209% plus 5%).
  • LaCHIP Affordable Plan. Children at 255% of the poverty level (250% plus the 5% disregard), the top of the children limits in the chart.

How to apply for Medicaid in Louisiana

In its guide dated December 1, 2023, the Louisiana Department of Health says there are four ways to apply for Medicaid: online at MyMedicaid.LA.gov, by phone through Medicaid Member Services at 1-888-342-6207 (toll free, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), by mail with a paper application, or in person at a Medicaid office. The guide says applying online is the fastest and easiest way to see if you qualify; the phone number and hours are as that guide gives them. You can also apply through the Marketplace at HealthCare.gov, which sends your information to the state agency if you may qualify.

MyMedicaid.LA.gov (Louisiana Medicaid online application) · HealthCare.gov Medicaid and CHIP

Louisiana Medicaid changes in 2027

LDH's fact sheet says new work and community engagement requirements begin January 1, 2027, that in Louisiana they are limited to members with coverage through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Medicaid expansion population, and that most Medicaid members will not be affected through its list of exemptions.

“In July 2025, Congress passed legislation that changes Medicaid rules nationwide. Beginning January 1, 2027, states must require certain Medicaid members to meet work or community engagement requirements.”
Louisiana Department of Health, Louisiana Medicaid Work Requirements fact sheet (January 2026) (source)
“The new requirements apply to adults without disabilities participating in Medicaid. This is limited to Louisiana’s members with coverage through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Medicaid expansion population.”
Louisiana Department of Health, Louisiana Medicaid Work Requirements fact sheet (January 2026) (source)
“The majority of those Medicaid members will not be impacted by these changes through one of the following exemptions: Foster care youth under the age of 26 Indian Health Service members Caregivers of a dependent child 13 years of age and under or a disabled individual Disabled veterans Medically frail individuals Individuals already meeting work requirements under Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Individuals participating in a qualifying substance use disorder (SUD) treatment program Incarcerated or have left incarceration within the prior three months Pregnant and postpartum women When will these changes start? New work and community engagement requirements begin January 1, 2027.”
Louisiana Department of Health, Louisiana Medicaid Work Requirements fact sheet (January 2026) (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 Louisiana Medicaid income limit in 2026?

Louisiana's own chart, effective March 1, 2026, lets one adult have up to $1,836 a month and a household of four up to $3,795 a month for adults, which is 138% of the federal poverty level.

Did Louisiana expand Medicaid?

LDH's chart Z-200 lists an Adult Group at 138% of the poverty level (133% plus the 5% disregard), and LDH's work requirements fact sheet calls the group Louisiana's members with coverage through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Medicaid expansion population. Medicaid.gov's table, as of December 1, 2023, shows 133% for Louisiana.

How do I apply for Medicaid in Louisiana?

In its guide dated December 1, 2023, the Louisiana Department of Health says there are four ways to apply for Medicaid: online at MyMedicaid.LA.gov, by phone through Medicaid Member Services at 1-888-342-6207 (toll free, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), by mail with a paper application, or in person at a Medicaid office. The guide says applying online is the fastest and easiest way to see if you qualify; the phone number and hours are as that guide gives them. 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 Louisiana Medicaid in 2027?

LDH's fact sheet says new work and community engagement requirements begin January 1, 2027, that in Louisiana they are limited to members with coverage through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Medicaid expansion population, and that most Medicaid members will not be affected through its list of exemptions. 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 Louisiana 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 Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) or see Medicare vs Medicaid on this site.

How often does Louisiana update its Medicaid income limits?

The charts follow the federal poverty guidelines, which HHS updates each year, and Louisiana's chart took effect March 1, 2026. FedRateCalc will look for Louisiana'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 Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) before relying on a figure.

Sources

All sources are government pages, read October 30, 2026, except the pages marked below, which were read from Internet Archive captures because the agency's site refused direct connections or no longer serves the page. The Medicaid.gov table is dated December 1, 2023 and is used only as a cross-check.