Getting started
How to apply for Medicaid: a step-by-step guide
4 min readReviewed by CoverageCo’s licensed agents
Key takeaways
- Apply through your state's Medicaid agency — applying is always free.
- Have income and household details ready for everyone applying.
- You can apply any time of year (Medicaid has no open-enrollment window).
- If you don't qualify, the Marketplace is usually the next step.
What you'll need
Gather this before you start so you don't get stuck mid-application:
- Income information for everyone in your household (pay stubs, tax return, or benefit statements).
- Household details — who's in it and their relationships.
- Social Security numbers and immigration/citizenship documents for applicants.
- Your current address and contact information.
How to apply
Apply through your state's Medicaid agency — most let you apply online, by phone, by mail, or in person. You can also start through your state's Health Insurance Marketplace, which screens for Medicaid first and refers you if you qualify. Unlike Marketplace plans, Medicaid has no annual enrollment window — you can apply any time.
Applying is always free. If anyone asks you to pay a fee to apply for Medicaid, that's a red flag.
If you're found ineligible
Being turned down for Medicaid usually means you're eligible to shop the Marketplace instead — and people just over the Medicaid line often qualify for financial help. A licensed agent can identify your state's Marketplace, check what you'd actually pay, and enroll you.
Medicaid eligibility estimator
See what you may qualify for.
Answer three quick questions for a free estimate. If you don’t qualify for Medicaid, we’ll help you find what you do — in one call.
This is a general estimate based only on what you enter — not a determination of eligibility, an application, or an offer of coverage. Only your state Medicaid agency can determine Medicaid eligibility. CoverageCo is a licensed insurance agency, not a government agency.
Common questions
Is there a deadline to apply for Medicaid?
No. Unlike Marketplace plans, Medicaid has no annual open-enrollment window — you can apply any time of year, and coverage can start quickly once you're approved.
Does it cost anything to apply for Medicaid?
No. Applying for Medicaid is always free through your state. Be cautious of anyone charging a fee just to submit an application.
Keep reading
Do I qualify for Medicaid? Here's how to tell
Medicaid eligibility comes down to income, household size, your state, and who's applying. Here's a simple way to tell where you stand.
Medicaid income limits, explained
Medicaid income limits are set as a percentage of the federal poverty level and vary by state, household size, and who's applying. Here's how they actually work.
Medicaid vs. the Marketplace: which one are you eligible for?
Medicaid and Marketplace coverage serve different income levels. Here's how to tell which one you qualify for — and what to do if you're near the line.
If Medicaid isn’t a fit
Many people just over the Medicaid line qualify for Marketplace coverage with financial help that lowers the monthly cost.
Reviewed by CoverageCo’s licensed insurance agents · Last updated August 2026. Sources: Medicaid.gov; HealthCare.gov and state Health Insurance Marketplaces; KFF; HHS federal poverty guidelines. This article is general information, not a determination of eligibility.
Important disclosures
The Coverage Company (“CoverageCo”) is a private, licensed insurance agency. This website is not Medicaid, Medicare, HealthCare.gov, or any federal or state government program, and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to any government agency.
The eligibility estimator and any figures shown are for general education only. They are based on the limited information you provide and published federal poverty guidelines, are not guaranteed to be current, and are not a determination of eligibility, an application, or an offer of coverage. Only your state Medicaid agency can determine Medicaid eligibility. If you contact us, a state-licensed insurance agent may help you review private coverage options; enrollment in any plan is subject to eligibility and the plan’s terms.