What is Michigan's medicaid income limits for 2026?

1. What the headline numbers mean: Healthy Michigan Plan vs. long‑term care

Michigan’s primary adult Medicaid pathway under the Healthy Michigan Plan is tied to roughly 133% of FPL (often operationalized as 138% after the 5% MAGI adjustment), which policy guides and consumer sites summarize as about $18,000 for a single person and about $37,000 for a family of four — this is the figure most people see when asking “what income qualifies” for Medicaid expansion coverage ^{[1] [2] [5]}. That FPL‑based threshold differs from the rules that govern Medicaid long‑term care (nursing home or certain aged/blind/disabled programs), where states typically apply a dollar cap tied to the Federal Benefit Rate (FBR) and Michigan is shown in projections using a $2,982/month individual limit for 2026 ^{[3] [4]}.

2. Why you see two different sets of limits in reporting

Sources split because Medicaid is many programs, not one number. The Healthy Michigan Plan (coverage for most adults 19–64) uses MAGI/FPL calculations (133%/138% of FPL) and is presented in consumer guidance ^{[1] [2]}. Long‑term care and aged/disabled pathways add asset tests and different income caps (often 300% of the FBR) and are reported separately — practitioner projections list Michigan among states using the Group‑1 FBR‑based income ceiling of $2,982/month in 2026 ^{[3] [4]}.

3. The technical nuance: MAGI, the 5% “income disregard,” and spend‑down rules

Michigan uses MAGI rules for many eligibility groups; MAGI calculations and the common 5% federal income “disregard” mean guides will show 133% FPL but say people can have income up to about 138% of FPL when counting is adjusted ^{[5] [6]}. Separately, TM (traditional Medicaid) programs for aged/disabled applicants can allow “spend‑down” — applicants above an income limit may qualify once medical expenses meet a deductible — a point emphasized on the state eligibility page ^{[7] [6]}.

4. Assets matter for elders and disabled applicants

For aged, blind, or disabled Medicaid pathways Michigan applies asset limits in addition to income tests; guidance notes typical Medicaid asset ceilings (e.g., $2,000 for single applicants referenced in broader summaries) and that IRAs, investments and real estate (unless primary residence rules apply) can be counted ^{[8] [4] [6]}. This means two applicants with identical incomes could face different outcomes depending on their countable resources ^[6].

5. Projected 2026 figures and their limitations

Several planning organizations publish projected 2026 long‑term care income ceilings and list Michigan at $2,982/month for individuals in 2026; those projections rely on the FBR and federal updates released late in 2025 ^{[3] [9]}. These are useful planning figures but are not the same as official MDHHS MAGI‑based Healthy Michigan Plan limits; users should treat them as program‑specific projections rather than a single statewide Medicaid income limit ^{[3] [4]}.

6. Practical next steps for readers seeking eligibility confirmation

If you’re checking eligibility for standard HMP adult coverage, use the Michigan HMP guidance showing 133% of FPL (operationally ~138% after the 5% disregard) and the everyday dollar approximations widely reported ^{[1] [2] [5]}. If you’re planning nursing‑home or aged/disabled Medicaid, use the FBR‑based monthly figures (about $2,982/month individual, $5,964/month couple projected for 2026) and also verify asset rules and spend‑down provisions ^{[3] [4] [7]}. The state MDHHS eligibility pages and legal help summaries explain program differences and how MAGI is calculated ^{[7] [6]}.

Limitations and caveats: available sources do not mention a single, consolidated “Michigan Medicaid 2026 income limit” that covers every pathway; income thresholds vary by program and household circumstances, and projections for long‑term care use FBR formulas rather than the FPL figures cited for HMP ^{[3] [1]}.