Iowa Medicaid Income Limits 2026: Chart by Household Size & Family of 4
Quick answer: most Iowa adults qualify with household income up to $1,835/month (single) — 138% of the 2026 federal poverty guidelines. Children and pregnant women qualify at much higher levels. The chart below lists the Iowa Medicaid income requirements and guidelines for 2026 — all effective cutoffs including the 5% MAGI disregard, computed from the official 2026 FPL table (ASPE / Federal Register). State standards are from the CMS national eligibility table, as of 2023-12-01.
Iowa Health Link is the Iowa Medicaid program — children's coverage runs under Hawki (children). The 2026 Iowa Health Link income limits are the figures on this page, shown as both the state percentages and dollar charts by household size.
Iowa Medicaid work requirement 2027: the federal work-requirement deadline for Iowa is January 1, 2027. The income cutoffs on this page are the 2026 figures in effect now; see the Iowa work-requirement page for hours, exemptions and the reporting timeline.
Verification: Iowa HHS lists children's coverage at 167% of the poverty level (the 1-5 and 6-18 age bands). Groups confirmed against the state's own publication are marked State-verified; the remaining groups are published in the CMS national table cited below.
Adults 19-64 (expansion group) — 2026 income limits
138% FPL effectiveAdults 19-64 (expansion group) income limits 2026: 138% of the federal poverty level — about $1,835/month for a household of 1 and $3,795/month for a family of 4.
| Household | Family of 1 | Family of 2 | Family of 3 | Family of 4 | Family of 5 | Family of 6 | Family of 7 | Family of 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly income limit | $1,835 | $2,489 | $3,142 | $3,795 | $4,448 | $5,101 | $5,755 | $6,408 |
Base standard 133% FPL + 5% MAGI disregard = 138% effective. Larger households: add roughly $653/month per additional person.
The ACA expansion group: adults 19-64 who qualify on income alone and are not eligible in another category such as disability or pregnancy. This is the group the 2027 work requirement applies to. No asset test.
Children 0-11 (Medicaid) — 2026 income limits
380% FPL effectiveChildren 0-11 (Medicaid) income limits 2026: 380% of the federal poverty level — about $5,054/month for a household of 1 and $10,450/month for a family of 4.
| Household | Family of 1 | Family of 2 | Family of 3 | Family of 4 | Family of 5 | Family of 6 | Family of 7 | Family of 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly income limit | $5,054 | $6,853 | $8,651 | $10,450 | $12,249 | $14,047 | $15,846 | $17,645 |
Base standard 375% FPL + 5% MAGI disregard = 380% effective. Larger households: add roughly $1,799/month per additional person.
Medicaid coverage for children. No premiums and no asset test.
Children 1-5 (Medicaid) — 2026 income limits
State-verified172% FPL effectiveChildren 1-5 (Medicaid) income limits 2026: 172% of the federal poverty level — about $2,288/month for a household of 1 and $4,730/month for a family of 4.
| Household | Family of 1 | Family of 2 | Family of 3 | Family of 4 | Family of 5 | Family of 6 | Family of 7 | Family of 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly income limit | $2,288 | $3,102 | $3,916 | $4,730 | $5,544 | $6,358 | $7,172 | $7,987 |
Base standard 167% FPL + 5% MAGI disregard = 172% effective. Larger households: add roughly $814/month per additional person.
Medicaid coverage for children. No premiums and no asset test.
Children 6-18 (Medicaid) — 2026 income limits
State-verified172% FPL effectiveChildren 6-18 (Medicaid) income limits 2026: 172% of the federal poverty level — about $2,288/month for a household of 1 and $4,730/month for a family of 4.
| Household | Family of 1 | Family of 2 | Family of 3 | Family of 4 | Family of 5 | Family of 6 | Family of 7 | Family of 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly income limit | $2,288 | $3,102 | $3,916 | $4,730 | $5,544 | $6,358 | $7,172 | $7,987 |
Base standard 167% FPL + 5% MAGI disregard = 172% effective. Larger households: add roughly $814/month per additional person.
Medicaid coverage for children. No premiums and no asset test.
Children (separate CHIP — hawk-i) — 2026 income limits
307% FPL effectiveChildren (separate CHIP — hawk-i) income limits 2026: 307% of the federal poverty level — about $4,083/month for a household of 1 and $8,443/month for a family of 4.
| Household | Family of 1 | Family of 2 | Family of 3 | Family of 4 | Family of 5 | Family of 6 | Family of 7 | Family of 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly income limit | $4,083 | $5,536 | $6,989 | $8,443 | $9,896 | $11,349 | $12,802 | $14,255 |
Base standard 302% FPL + 5% MAGI disregard = 307% effective. Larger households: add roughly $1,453/month per additional person.
Separate CHIP coverage for uninsured children above the Medicaid children's ceiling. Benefits match Medicaid; small copays may apply for some services. CMS lists this as a CHIP-funded Medicaid expansion covering children up to age 19 (footnote 1 of the national table), under the hawk-i name.
Pregnant women (Medicaid) — 2026 income limits
380% FPL effectivePregnant women (Medicaid) income limits 2026: 380% of the federal poverty level — about $5,054/month for a household of 1 and $10,450/month for a family of 4.
| Household | Family of 1 | Family of 2 | Family of 3 | Family of 4 | Family of 5 | Family of 6 | Family of 7 | Family of 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly income limit | $5,054 | $6,853 | $8,651 | $10,450 | $12,249 | $14,047 | $15,846 | $17,645 |
Base standard 375% FPL + 5% MAGI disregard = 380% effective. Larger households: add roughly $1,799/month per additional person.
Count the expected child(ren) in household size. Federal law guarantees 12 months of postpartum coverage.
Parents & caretaker relatives (Medicaid) — 2026 income limits
State dollar standard (CMS equivalent 44% FPL)Parents & caretaker relatives (Medicaid) income limits 2026:
The parents and caretaker relatives category. In states that expanded Medicaid, parents above this standard may qualify through the adult expansion group instead. CMS converted this state's dollar-amount standard to a percentage of FPL (footnote 4 of the national table); the state determines eligibility in dollars, not percent.
Iowa publishes MAGI standards as a percent of FPL and applies the federal 5-percentage-point income disregard when it makes someone eligible, so each group has a base standard and a slightly higher effective cutoff. The tables below show the effective figures in dollars, computed from the official 2026 federal poverty guidelines. Iowa's expansion group is delivered as Iowa Health and Wellness Plan (Medicaid expansion).
MAGI household size follows federal tax-filing relationships, not who lives under your roof - and a pregnant applicant counts the expected child(ren).
Frequently asked questions
What is the Iowa Medicaid income limit in 2026?
It depends on the coverage group. most Iowa adults qualify with household income up to $1,835/month (single) — 138% of the 2026 federal poverty guidelines. Children and pregnant women qualify at much higher levels.
What is the Iowa Medicaid income limit for a family of 2?
Adults 19-64 (expansion group) — 138% of the federal poverty level, about $2,489/month for a family of 2 in 2026. The ACA expansion group: adults 19-64 who qualify on income alone and are not eligible in another category such as disability or pregnancy. This is the group the 2027 work requirement applies to. No asset test.
What is the Iowa Medicaid income limit for a family of 3?
Adults 19-64 (expansion group) — 138% of the federal poverty level, about $3,142/month for a family of 3 in 2026. The ACA expansion group: adults 19-64 who qualify on income alone and are not eligible in another category such as disability or pregnancy. This is the group the 2027 work requirement applies to. No asset test.
What is the Iowa Medicaid income limit for a family of 4?
Adults 19-64 (expansion group) — 138% of the federal poverty level, about $3,795/month for a family of 4 in 2026. The ACA expansion group: adults 19-64 who qualify on income alone and are not eligible in another category such as disability or pregnancy. This is the group the 2027 work requirement applies to. No asset test.
What is the Iowa Medicaid income limit for a family of 5?
Adults 19-64 (expansion group) — 138% of the federal poverty level, about $4,448/month for a family of 5 in 2026. The ACA expansion group: adults 19-64 who qualify on income alone and are not eligible in another category such as disability or pregnancy. This is the group the 2027 work requirement applies to. No asset test.
What income is too high for Medicaid in Iowa?
There is no single number — every coverage group has its own ceiling. In Iowa, an adult under 65 qualifies with household income up to $1,835/month for one person (138% FPL). Go above that and the adult group no longer covers you. Children and pregnant women stay covered at much higher levels: children to 380% FPL and pregnant women to 380% FPL.
What is the income limit for Adults 19-64 in Iowa?
Adults 19-64 (expansion group): 138% of the federal poverty level, about $1,835/month for a household of one. The ACA expansion group: adults 19-64 who qualify on income alone and are not eligible in another category such as disability or pregnancy. This is the group the 2027 work requirement applies to. No asset test.
What is the income limit for Children 0-11 in Iowa?
Children 0-11 (Medicaid): 380% of the federal poverty level, about $5,054/month for a household of one. Medicaid coverage for children. No premiums and no asset test.
What is the income limit for Children 1-5 in Iowa?
Children 1-5 (Medicaid): 172% of the federal poverty level, about $2,288/month for a household of one. Medicaid coverage for children. No premiums and no asset test.
What is the income limit for Children 6-18 in Iowa?
Children 6-18 (Medicaid): 172% of the federal poverty level, about $2,288/month for a household of one. Medicaid coverage for children. No premiums and no asset test.
What is the income limit for Children in Iowa?
Children (separate CHIP — hawk-i): 307% of the federal poverty level, about $4,083/month for a household of one. Separate CHIP coverage for uninsured children above the Medicaid children's ceiling. Benefits match Medicaid; small copays may apply for some services. CMS lists this as a CHIP-funded Medicaid expansion covering children up to age 19 (footnote 1 of the national table), under the hawk-i name.
What are the Iowa Medicaid income limits for seniors (65 and older)?
The limits above are MAGI standards for children, pregnant women, parents and adults under 65. People 65 or older (and people with disabilities of any age) qualify under separate non-MAGI categories with their own dollar limits, which can include an asset test. Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) publishes those figures and makes the final determination.
What are the Iowa Health Link income limits in 2026?
Iowa Health Link is the Iowa Medicaid program; children's coverage runs under Hawki (children). Its income limits are the ones on this page: most Iowa adults qualify with household income up to $1,835/month (single) — 138% of the 2026 federal poverty guidelines. Children and pregnant women qualify at much higher levels.
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Reviewed by Gavin YE, Technical Director, ClearRules Labs.
Page last reviewed 2026-09-21