Kansas Medicaid Income Limits 2026 – KanCare Eligibility Guide

Kansas Medicaid income limits for 2026 are based on the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Kansas has not expanded Medicaid. This means many adults do not qualify. The state program is called KanCare.

Income limits changed in January 2026. Kansas usually updates its charts by April 2026. The numbers below use the confirmed 2026 FPL guidelines.

Quick Article Summary:

Kansas is a non-expansion Medicaid state in 2026.
Parents must earn below 38% FPL to qualify for KanCare.
Pregnant women qualify up to 171% FPL with 12-month postpartum coverage.
Children can qualify for Medicaid or CHIP up to 250% FPL.
Seniors and disabled individuals have both income and asset limits.
Childless adults generally cannot get KanCare coverage.

If you are checking Medicaid eligibility in 2026, Kansas has some of the strictest rules in the country. A 5% income disregard applies to most family groups. This slightly raises the limits shown below. Learn more about Medicaid income limits by state for 2026 to compare.

Page Contents

1 Who Qualifies for Kansas Medicaid in 2026?
- 1.1 Families and Children (MAGI Rules)
2 Seniors and People with Disabilities
3 Medicare Savings Programs in Kansas
4 Assets That Do Not Count
5 How to Apply for Kansas Medicaid (KanCare)
6 Frequently Asked Questions

Who Qualifies for Kansas Medicaid in 2026?

Kansas is a non-expansion state. This means most healthy adults without children cannot get Medicaid. Eligibility falls into three main groups. Learn more about general medicaid eligibility 2026 rules nationwide.

Families and Children (MAGI Rules)

These rules use Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI). Savings and cars do not count against you. Kansas adds a 5% income disregard for these groups.

Parents and Caretaker Relatives

Kansas has one of America’s strictest parent limits. You must have a child in your home and earn very little.

Household Size	Monthly Income Limit	Yearly Income Limit
2 people	$685	$8,223
3 people	$865	$10,382
4 people	$1,045	$12,540

This creates a “coverage gap.” Parents earning above 38% FPL often make too much for KanCare but too little for marketplace help.

Pregnant Women

Pregnant women count as two people (or more with multiples). Coverage lasts through pregnancy plus 12 months after birth.

Household Size	Monthly Income Limit	Yearly Income Limit
2 people	$3,083	$37,005
3 people	$3,893	$46,717
4 people	$4,702	$56,430

Children and CHIP

Children get higher limits than parents. If income is too high for Medicaid, CHIP may help. CHIP sometimes has small monthly fees. See current medicaid fee schedule 2026 details for services covered.

Child’s Age	Income Limit (% FPL)	4-Person Family Monthly Limit
Birth–1 year	171%	$4,702
1–5 years	149%	$4,098
6–18 years	133%	$3,663
CHIP (up to age 19)	Up to 250%	$8,650

The Coverage Gap: Parents earning between 38% and 100% FPL often earn too much for KanCare. But they earn too little for marketplace subsidies on Healthcare.gov. This leaves many Kansas families without affordable coverage.

Seniors and People with Disabilities

These groups face both income and asset tests. Some assets do not count (home, one car, burial funds).

Basic Medicaid (ABD)

Situation	Monthly Income Limit	Asset Limit
Single person	$994	$2,000
Married couple	$1,491	$3,000

If your income is higher, you may “spend down” by paying medical bills until you hit the limit.

Long-Term Care Coverage

For nursing homes or in-home care waivers:

Income limit: $2,982 per month
Asset limit: $2,000 (single)
Spouse protection: Healthy spouse may keep up to $162,660 in assets

Working Adults with Disabilities

The Working Healthy program lets disabled workers keep Medicaid with higher income:

Up to 300% FPL income allowed
$15,000 asset limit
Small monthly premium ($55–$152) based on earnings

Medicare Savings Programs in Kansas

These programs help Medicare members pay for premiums and costs. They are separate from regular KanCare Medicaid. Reviewing the Medicaid fee schedule for 2026 can also help you understand covered services.

Program	Single Income Limit	Couple Income Limit
QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary)	$1,255/month	$1,704/month
LMB (Low Income Medicare Beneficiary)	$1,506/month	$2,044/month
ELMB (Expanded LMB)	$1,695/month	$2,300/month

Assets That Do Not Count

For seniors and disabled applicants, Kansas exempts certain assets from the limit. These are items you can own without affecting your eligibility.

Your primary home (if you or spouse live there)
One vehicle
Personal belongings and household goods
Burial plots
Small life insurance policies (face value under $1,500)

How to Apply for Kansas Medicaid (KanCare)

Applying for KanCare is free. There are three ways to apply.

Online: Use the KanCare Application Portal
Phone: Call the KanCare Clearinghouse at 1-800-792-4884
Mail: Download and mail a paper application from the KanCare website

Take Action Now: Gather your income documents and household information. Then apply online through the KanCare portal. Most applications get a decision within 45 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Kansas Medicaid income limits for a family of 4 in 2026?

For parents, the limit is about $12,540 per year (38% FPL). For pregnant women, it is about $56,430 per year (171% FPL). Children have separate limits based on age.

Did Kansas expand Medicaid in 2026?

No. Kansas has not expanded Medicaid. Most childless adults between 19 and 64 still cannot qualify for KanCare, no matter how low their income is.

Can childless adults get Medicaid in Kansas in 2026?

Generally, no. Non-disabled adults without dependent children do not qualify for Kansas Medicaid. They fall into a “coverage gap” with no affordable options.