Medicaid Michigan: Eligibility, Application & Benefits Guide for 2026

In 2026, more than 2.6 million Michigan residents are covered by Medicaid /Medical Assistance (MA), or over one-quarter of the state's population. It is run by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and covers children, pregnant women, parents, people working, working-age adults (through the Healthy Michigan Plan [HMP]), senior citizens, and those with disabilities. In April of 2014, Michigan's Medicaid program was expanded under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), establishing the Healthy Michigan Plan for approximately 750,000 adults ages 19-64 who earn up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Income thresholds for these key 2026 figures are: $1,835/month for single adults (HMP at 138% of FPL); $2,660/month for pregnant women (200% of FPL); $2,886/month for children (217% FPL through U-19 Medicaid eligibility); and $2,982/month for nursing home Medicaid applicants (300% of Federal Benefit Rate).

Michigan is one of the few states with higher asset limits for long term care Medicaid, at $9,950, versus the national average of $2,000. In 2026, the Community Spouse Resource Allowance (CSRA) is $162,660. Work requirements to enrollees in the Michigan's Healthy Michigan Plan (HMP) are changing greatly in 2026: MDHHS will start outreach to HMP enrollee families by September 30, 2026 about new work requirements of 80 hours per month that take effect January 1, 2027. The 6-month redetermination will begin for expansion adults beginning Dec. 2026.

This guide covers Michigan Medicaid programs, income limits for 2026, asset criteria, and how to apply. Data from MDHHS, Medicaid.gov and KFF. 

Michigan Medicaid programs at a glance

There are several Medicaid programs in Michigan for different populations. There are different eligibility requirements for each.

Michigan's Medicaid expansion program for adults ages 19-64 (with household income up to 138% of FPL, or approximately $1,835/month in 2026) is the Healthy Michigan Plan (HMP). There is no asset test for HMP. The program is a Healthy Behaviors incentive model in which members earn a discount on co-pays for completing health activities. Some 750,000 Michigan adults are currently covered by HMP.

U-19 Medicaid is for kids up to age 19 who live in low income families, up to 217% FPL (about $5,654/month for a family of four in 2026). There are no premiums and no asset test; U-19 offers comprehensive coverage for vision, dental and mental health services.

Michigan's CHIP program for children whose families earn a little above the U-19 limits is MIChild. MIChild is a Medicaid-like plan that is offered at a modest premium (around $10/family/month) and provides virtually the same benefits.

Medicaid coverage of prenatal, delivery, and 12 months of postpartum care is available for Pregnant Women up to 200% FPL (or approximately $2660/month for a 2-person HH in 2026).

Aged, Blind, and Disabled (ABD) Medicaid provides coverage for people with disabilities and seniors who earn below a specific income threshold and have assets below a certain limit. Income limit is about $1,305/month for 1 person (high compared to most states) and asset limit is $9950 (also high when compared to most states).

Nursing Home Medicaid is an entitlement (no waitlist) that is available for institutional care for those that meet the nursing facility level of care. 2026 income limit: $2,982/month. Asset limit: $9,950.

The MI Choice Waiver is Michigan's main HCBS waiver for elderly adults and adults who have physical disabilities who need nursing facility care and want to live in their community. Small class sizes and waiting lists.

MI Health Link provides both Medicare and Medicaid to dual eligibles in 25 counties and includes HCBS for those requiring nursing facility level care.

The Home Help Program is a Medicaid (entitlement, no waitlist) service that offers personal care, housekeeping and laundry services in the home.

See our Medicaid coverage  guide for information on Medicaid coverage.

2026 Michigan Medicaid income limits

The income limits are updated in Michigan every spring (usually April 1st of each year when federal poverty guidelines are updated, for 2026 income limits that are in effect April 1st, 2026).

For Healthy Michigan Plan (children ages 0-19): $1,151/month single, $1,462/month couple and $2,956/month family of four. This is 138% of the FPL including the 5% built-in income disregard.

For U-19 Medicaid (children under 19): Up to $2,886/month for a single person, $4,940/month for family of four. This is 217% of FPL.

For Pregnant Women: Maximum of $2660/month for family of two, $3607/month family of three. This is 200% FPL.

Medicaid (seniors/disabled): About $1,305/month per person for one person. This is 100% FPL.

For Nursing Home Medicaid and MI Choice Waiver: $2,982/month for a single applicant. This is 3 x the Federal Benefit Rate (FBR).

For persons above the income limit, Michigan has a Medically Needy spend-down pathway. Documented medical expenses must be paid with excess income to be eligible.

If you're looking to qualify for Medicaid in a larger scope, check out our Medicaid qualification guide.

Michigan asset rules

For each program, there are different rules on the assets that can be considered.

U-19 Medicaid, Pregnant Women Medicaid: No asset test; Healthy Michigan Plan: No asset test unless a parent or guardian applies for Medicaid for a child under 19; MIChild: No asset test unless a parent or guardian applies for Medicaid for children birth-18. Ownership of a home, vehicle, savings does not impact eligibility.

For the Medicaid for the Aged and Disabled (ABD) and Nursing Home Medicaid: $9,950 asset limit for one person. This is in contrast to the average $2,000 limit in most states.

For married couples where one spouse applies for long-term care: The non-applicant spouse can keep the Community Spouse Resource Allowance (CSRA) of $162,660 in 2026. For the community spouse, income protection (MMMNA) may be up to $4,066.50/month and shelter standard is $793.13/month.

Equity protected up to $730,000, if the applicant (or spouse) resides in the home or is planning to return to the home.

PNA for residents of nursing homes: $60/month or more.

Michigan never utilizes Qualified Income Trusts (QITs) or Irrevocable Funeral Trusts that many states do. This impacts on long-term care planning strategies. 

For Medicaid planning details, see our Medicaid planning guide.

The 5-year look-back and estate recovery in Michigan

Michigan applies the federal 5-year (60-month) look-back for asset transfers preceding Medicaid long-term care applications. The 2026 penalty divisor is $12,216.30/month (used to calculate ineligibility periods after disqualifying transfers).

Michigan's Medicaid Estate Recovery Program (MERP), administered by MDHHS, recovers long-term care costs from deceased Medicaid beneficiaries' estates. Federal exemptions (surviving spouse, child under 21, blind/disabled child) apply, plus Michigan-specific provisions.

The Caregiver Child Exemption (2+ years of caregiving) and Sibling Exemption (1+ year of equity interest residency) can protect the home from estate recovery.

For Medicaid planning attorney assistance, see our Medicaid planning attorney guide.

How to apply for Michigan Medicaid

The primary application portal is MI Bridges at mibridges.michigan.gov, Michigan's integrated benefits portal for Medicaid, SNAP, cash assistance, and other programs.

Application methods:

• Online: MI Bridges (fastest method)

• Phone: MDHHS Beneficiary Helpline 1-888-642-4845

• In person: Local MDHHS county offices

• Mail: P.O. Box 30037, Lansing, MI 48909

Documents typically needed: Proof of identity, Social Security cards, citizenship/immigration documents, income documentation (pay stubs, tax returns), residency proof, household member information, and asset documentation for non-MAGI populations.

Most applications process within 45 days. Retroactive coverage may extend up to 3 months before application (changing to 2 months for some non-expansion groups starting January 2027 under OBBBA).

For Medicaid renewal information, see our Medicaid renewal guide. Important: Expansion adults will shift to 6-month renewals starting December 2026 under OBBBA.

2026 changes for Michigan Medicaid

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed into law July 2025, brings significant changes:

Work Requirements: Starting January 1, 2027, Healthy Michigan Plan adults ages 19-64 must complete 80 hours/month of work, school, training, or community service. MDHHS must begin outreach by September 30, 2026. Pregnant individuals, medically frail adults, and those receiving disability benefits are exempt.

6-Month Redeterminations: Starting December 2026, expansion adults will have eligibility redetermined every 6 months instead of annually.

Reduced Retroactive Coverage: Starting January 2027, retroactive coverage drops from 3 months to 2 months for non-expansion populations.

Non-citizen Restrictions: Starting October 1, 2026, some groups lose full Medicaid coverage. Approximately 66,400 non-citizens in Michigan may be affected.

Federal Funding Reduction: OBBBA eliminates the enhanced federal funding rate for Medicaid expansion states. Michigan could lose approximately $900 million annually in federal support for the Healthy Michigan Plan.

Governor Whitmer's 2026 budget includes $2.7 billion in federal healthcare funding to protect core Medicaid services from these cuts.

For Medicaid waiver programs, see our waiver guide.