NC Medicaid Eligibility

NC Medicaid provides health care coverage for people with lower incomes.

New: NC Medicaid now provides health care coverage to more people, including people ages 19-64. You may be eligible now even if you were not before.

The best way to find out if you are eligible is to apply.

Basic eligibility requirements

  • 1

    Residency and citizenship

    To receive NC Medicaid, a person must:

    • Be a U.S. citizen or have an eligible immigration status.
    • Live in North Carolina.
    • Have a Social Security number or show you have applied, if you are eligible for one.

    Families that include non-U.S. citizens can apply. You can apply for your child even if you are not eligible for coverage. Applying will not affect your immigration status or chances of becoming a permanent resident or citizen.

  • 2

    Family income

    To see income limits, check the section that matches your family size.

    Accordion
    Tab/Accordion Items

    Include these people in your family size, even if they do not need Medicaid:

    • You
    • Your spouse
    • Your children under 21 including stepchildren
    • Any other person on the same federal income tax return (including any children over age 21 who are claimed on a parent’s tax return). You don’t need to file taxes to get health coverage.
    • If someone in your family is pregnant, do not include the unborn child in your family size on this page

    Do not include:

    • Your parents who live with you, but file their own tax return (if you are over 21)
    • Other adult relatives who file their own tax return

    You are a family of one (1) if you live alone or if you do not claim anyone as a dependent on your tax returns.

    Who may be eligible for NC Medicaid - Family size of 1
    A pregnant person may be eligible if the family income is $3,339/month or less (includes one unborn child).
    A child ages 0-18 may be eligible if the family income is $2,649/month or less.
    An adult ages 19-64 may be eligible if the family income is $1,732/month or less.
    An adult ages 65+ may be eligible for full Medicaid if the family income is $1,255/month or less, and for other Medicaid programs if the family income is $1,695/month or less. Additional requirements apply.
    Anyone may be eligible for family planning services, including screening and treatment of some sexually transmitted infections, if the family income is $2,448/month or less.

    People with certain health needs may be able to get special coverage. These include, but are not limited to:

    • Physical or cognitive disabilities, or
    • Traumatic brain injury, or
    • Breast or cervical cancer

    This a general guide. If you are unsure, we encourage you to apply. A caseworker will review your application to see what is available to you and if certain deductions might help you qualify. For more detailed information, see a list of programs and their requirements.

    Learn How to Apply

    All dollar amounts are before taxes. Figures are current until April 1, 2025.

    Check for each person in your family.
    Even if one person is not eligible, others in the family could be.

    Who may be eligible for NC Medicaid - Family size of 2
    A pregnant person may be eligible if the family income is $4,218/month or less (includes one unborn child).
    A child ages 0-18 may be eligible if the family income is $3,595/month or less.
    An adult ages 19-64 may be eligible if the family income is $2,351/month or less.
    An adult ages 65+ may be eligible for full Medicaid if the family income is $1,704/month or less, and for other programs if the family income is $2,300/month or less. Additional requirements apply.
    Anyone may be eligible for family planning services, including screening and treatment of some sexually transmitted infections, if the family income is $3,322/month or less.

    People with certain health needs may be able to get special coverage. These include, but are not limited to:

    • Physical or cognitive disabilities, or
    • Traumatic brain injury, or
    • Breast or cervical cancer

    This a general guide. If you are unsure, we encourage you to apply. A caseworker will review your application to see what is available to you and if certain deductions might help you qualify. For more detailed information, see a list of programs and their requirements.

    Learn How to Apply

    All dollar amounts are before taxes. Figures are current until April 1, 2025.

    Check for each person in your family.
    Even if one person is not eligible, others in the family could be.

    Who may be eligible for NC Medicaid - Family size of 3
    A pregnant person may be eligible if the family income is $5,096/month or less (includes one unborn child).
    A child ages 0-18 may be eligible if the family income is $4,541/month or less.
    An adult ages 19-64 may be eligible if the family income is $2,970/month or less.
    Anyone may be eligible for family planning services, including screening and treatment of some sexually transmitted infections, if the family income is $4,196/month or less.

    People with certain health needs may be able to get special coverage. These include, but are not limited to:

    • Physical or cognitive disabilities, or
    • Traumatic brain injury, or
    • Breast or cervical cancer

    This a general guide. If you are unsure, we encourage you to apply. A caseworker will review your application to see what is available to you and if certain deductions might help you qualify. For more detailed information, see a list of programs and their requirements.

    Learn How to Apply

    All dollar amounts are before taxes. Figures are current until April 1, 2025.

    Check for each person in your family.
    Even if one person is not eligible, others in the family could be.

    Who may be eligible for NC Medicaid - Family size of 4
    A pregnant person may be eligible if the family income is $5,975/month or less (includes one unborn child).
    A child ages 0-18 may be eligible if the family income is $5,486/month or less.
    An adult ages 19-64 may be eligible if the family income is $3,588/month or less.
    Anyone may be eligible for family planning services, including screening and treatment of some sexually transmitted infections, if the family income is $5,070/month or less.

    People with certain health needs may be able to get special coverage. These include, but are not limited to:

    • Physical or cognitive disabilities, or
    • Traumatic brain injury, or
    • Breast or cervical cancer

    This a general guide. If you are unsure, we encourage you to apply. A caseworker will review your application to see what is available to you and if certain deductions might help you qualify. For more detailed information, see a list of programs and their requirements.

    Learn How to Apply

    All dollar amounts are before taxes. Figures are current until April 1, 2025.

    Check for each person in your family.
    Even if one person is not eligible, others in the family could be.

    Who may be eligible for NC Medicaid - Family size of 5
    A pregnant person may be eligible if the family income is $6,854/month or less (includes one unborn child).
    A child ages 0-18 may be eligible if the family income is $6,432/month or less.
    An adult ages 19-64 may be eligible if the family income is about $4,207/month or less.
    Anyone may be eligible for family planning services, including screening and treatment of some sexually transmitted infections, if the family income is $5,945/month or less.

    People with certain health needs may be able to get special coverage. These include, but are not limited to:

    • Physical or cognitive disabilities, or
    • Traumatic brain injury, or
    • Breast or cervical cancer

    This a general guide. If you are unsure, we encourage you to apply. A caseworker will review your application to see what is available to you and if certain deductions might help you qualify. For more detailed information, see a list of programs and their requirements.

    Learn How to Apply

    All dollar amounts are before taxes. Figures are current until April 1, 2025.

Ready for the next step?

The best way to find out if you are eligible is to apply.

Learn How to Apply

How much does NC Medicaid cost me?
 

Need help?

Connect with a health insurance expert
NC Navigator Consortium gives free advice about health insurance and can even help you apply. Make a free appointment online or call 1-855-733-3711.

Questions about eligibility
Call your local Department of Social Services (DSS). To find yours, use this directory or call the NC Medicaid Contact Center at 1-888-245-0179 (TTY Relay Services: Call 711).

Interpreter services
If you don’t speak English well, call your local Department of Social Services (DSS) and ask the operator for an interpreter. It will be provided for free.

Not eligible for NC Medicaid? You have options. 
Check out HealthCare.gov or community health centers.

General questions
Call the NC Medicaid Contact Center at 1-888-245-0179 (TTY Relay Services: Call 711).