Kansas Medicaid, known as KanCare, provides health coverage to low-income residents across several eligibility categories. The income limits vary significantly depending on who you are: a child, a pregnant woman, a parent, or an elderly or disabled adult. This guide covers the 2026 income limits for every major KanCare category, explains the coverage gap that affects many Kansas adults, and walks through how to apply.
What Is KanCare?
KanCare is Kansas's Medicaid program, administered through three managed care organizations: Aetna Better Health of Kansas, Sunflower Health Plan, and United Healthcare Community Plan. When you enroll in KanCare, you are assigned to one of these plans, which coordinates your medical care.
Kansas has not expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, which means the state uses stricter income limits than the 38 states that have expanded. This creates a coverage gap for working-age adults who do not have dependent children and are not disabled or elderly.
Kansas Medicaid Income Limits 2026 by Category
The income limits below are based on the 2026 Federal Poverty Level (FPL). The 2026 FPL is approximately $15,650 per year for a single person, or about $1,304 per month.
Children
Children have among the most generous income thresholds in KanCare.
| Age Group | Income Limit (FPL) | Approximate Monthly Limit (Family of 3) |
|---|
| Under age 1 | 166% FPL | approximately $2,242/month |
| Ages 1 to 5 | 149% FPL | approximately $2,013/month |
| Ages 6 to 18 | 133% FPL | approximately $1,796/month |
Children whose family income is above these Medicaid limits but at or below 250% FPL may qualify for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), called HealthWave in Kansas.
Pregnant Women
Pregnant women in Kansas qualify for KanCare with household income up to 166% of the Federal Poverty Level. Coverage extends through the full pregnancy and continues for 12 months after the baby is born.
| Household Size | 166% FPL Monthly Income Limit |
|---|
| 1 person | approximately $1,785/month |
| 2 people | approximately $2,421/month |
| 3 people | approximately $3,056/month |
| 4 people | approximately $3,692/month |
Parents and Caretaker Relatives with Dependent Children
This is where Kansas's non-expansion status creates a sharp cutoff. Parents with dependent children qualify only if their income falls at or below approximately 33% of the FPL. At the 2026 FPL levels, that works out to roughly $430 per month for a single parent, or around $530 per month for a family of two.
| Household Size | Approximate Monthly Income Limit |
|---|
| 1 parent (no other household members) | approximately $430/month |
| 2-person household | approximately $530/month |
| 3-person household | approximately $640/month |
| 4-person household | approximately $750/month |
These thresholds are extremely low. A parent earning a part-time minimum wage income in Kansas will likely exceed this limit.
Adults Without Dependent Children
Non-disabled, non-elderly adults without dependent children do not qualify for KanCare regardless of income. Kansas has not adopted Medicaid expansion, so there is no pathway to coverage for this group through Medicaid. Adults in this situation who earn above 100% FPL ($1,304/month for one person) can shop for subsidized coverage on HealthCare.gov. Those below 100% FPL fall into a coverage gap with no Medicaid and no subsidy-eligible marketplace plan.
Elderly and Disabled Adults (ABD Medicaid)
Kansas Medicaid for aged, blind, and disabled (ABD) adults has separate income and asset limits.
| Category | Income Limit | Asset Limit |
|---|
| Single applicant (Regular ABD) | $994/month | $2,000 |
| Married couple (Regular ABD) | $1,491/month combined | $3,000 combined |
For nursing home Medicaid, there is no hard monthly income limit. Instead, most of a resident's income goes toward the cost of care, with Kansas retaining a personal needs allowance of $62 per month.
For Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waivers for elderly and disabled residents, the income threshold is generally no set cap, but amounts over approximately $2,982 per month are applied toward care costs.
Long-Term Care: Married Couples
When one spouse applies for nursing home or HCBS Medicaid, the community spouse (the one staying home) receives financial protections.
| Protection | Amount |
|---|
| Community Spouse Resource Allowance (assets protected) | Up to $162,660 |
| Minimum Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance (income protected) | $2,643.75 to $4,066.50/month |
Home equity for nursing home Medicaid applicants is capped at $752,000. The home is exempt from asset limits if a spouse, minor child, or permanently disabled child lives there.
The Kansas Coverage Gap
Because Kansas has not expanded Medicaid, roughly 70,000 to 150,000 Kansans fall into what is called the coverage gap. These are adults who:
- Earn too much to qualify for traditional Medicaid (above 33% FPL for parents, or ineligible entirely for childless adults)
- Earn too little to qualify for ACA marketplace subsidies (below 100% FPL)
If you fall into this gap, a few options exist:
- Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs): These clinics offer sliding-scale fees based on income. Find one at findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov.
- Free clinics: Kansas has several, including facilities in Wichita, Kansas City, and Topeka.
- Hospital charity care: Many Kansas hospitals offer financial assistance programs for uninsured patients. Ask the billing department.
Who Qualifies for KanCare: Full Eligibility Overview
Beyond income, KanCare requires that applicants:
- Live in Kansas as their primary residence
- Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or qualifying immigration status holder
- Provide a Social Security number (or apply for one)
- Fall into one of the covered categories: child, pregnant woman, parent or caretaker of a minor child, person who is blind or disabled, or person aged 65 or older
Undocumented immigrants generally do not qualify for full KanCare coverage, though Kansas does cover emergency medical services for qualifying conditions.
How to Apply for KanCare in 2026
There are four ways to apply for KanCare.
Online
Apply at apply.medicaid.kansas.gov. You will create an account and complete a digital application. This is the fastest method for most applicants.
By Phone
Call the Kansas Customer Service Center at 1-800-792-4884. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST.
In Person
Visit your local Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) office. Find the nearest office using the DCF office locator at dcf.ks.gov.
By Mail
Download a paper application from the Kansas Medicaid website, complete it, and mail it to your local DCF office.
What You Will Need to Apply
Gather these documents before you apply to speed up processing:
- Proof of identity (driver's license, state ID, passport, or birth certificate)
- Social Security numbers for everyone applying
- Proof of Kansas residency (utility bill, lease agreement, or similar)
- Proof of income (pay stubs, employer letters, Social Security award letters, or tax returns)
- Proof of citizenship or immigration status
- Information about any current health insurance coverage
After You Apply
Kansas is required to process most Medicaid applications within 45 days. Applications involving a disability determination may take up to 90 days. You will receive a written notice of approval or denial. If denied, you have 90 days to appeal the decision.
Once approved, coverage is typically backdated to the first day of the month you applied.
KanCare Managed Care Plans
All KanCare enrollees receive benefits through one of three managed care plans. These plans cover the same basic services but have different provider networks.
| Plan | Phone |
|---|
| Aetna Better Health of Kansas | 1-866-705-0711 |
| Sunflower Health Plan | 1-877-644-4623 |
| United Healthcare Community Plan | 1-877-542-9238 |
If you do not choose a plan, Kansas assigns you to one automatically. You can request a change within the first 90 days of enrollment.
What KanCare Covers
KanCare provides comprehensive coverage including:
- Doctor visits and preventive care
- Hospital care (inpatient and outpatient)
- Emergency services
- Prescription drugs
- Mental health and substance use services
- Dental and vision services (children have broader dental coverage than adults)
- Pregnancy and maternity care
- Long-term care services (nursing facility and home-based)
- Behavioral health services
Check Your Eligibility
Not sure if your household qualifies? Use the free eligibility screener at benefitsusa.org/screener to check KanCare eligibility along with other programs like SNAP, CHIP, and ACA subsidies in one place.
You can also visit the Kansas benefits information page at benefitsusa.org/states/kansas for a full breakdown of assistance programs available to Kansas residents.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income limit for Medicaid in Kansas for 2026?
The income limit depends on your eligibility category. Children under age 1 qualify up to 166% of the Federal Poverty Level (approximately $2,242/month for a family of three). Pregnant women qualify up to 166% FPL. Parents with dependent children qualify at approximately 33% FPL, which is around $640/month for a family of three. Elderly and disabled adults (ABD) have an income limit of $994/month for a single person. Adults without children do not qualify in Kansas due to non-expansion.
Does Kansas have Medicaid expansion in 2026?
No. As of 2026, Kansas has not expanded Medicaid under the ACA. This means non-disabled, non-elderly adults without dependent children cannot qualify for KanCare regardless of income. Adults earning above 100% FPL ($15,650/year for one person) can access subsidized marketplace plans through HealthCare.gov.
How do I apply for KanCare?
You can apply online at apply.medicaid.kansas.gov, by calling 1-800-792-4884, in person at a DCF office, or by mailing a paper application. Kansas processes most applications within 45 days.
What is the asset limit for Kansas Medicaid?
For most family and children's Medicaid categories, there is no asset limit. For elderly and disabled (ABD) Medicaid, the asset limit is $2,000 for a single person and $3,000 for a married couple. Nursing home Medicaid also has a $2,000 asset limit for the applicant, but the community spouse may retain up to $162,660 in assets.
Can I get KanCare if I am pregnant but not a Kansas resident?
No. KanCare requires that you reside in Kansas. However, residency can be established quickly. If you move to Kansas, you can apply for KanCare and show that you intend to remain in the state.
What happens if my income goes up after I enroll in KanCare?
You are required to report income changes within 10 days. If your income rises above the limit for your category, you may lose eligibility. However, you could then qualify for subsidized marketplace insurance through HealthCare.gov. Children in Kansas may also transition to CHIP (HealthWave) if family income rises above Medicaid limits but stays at or below 250% FPL.
Does KanCare cover dental for adults?
Adult dental coverage under KanCare is limited. Kansas covers emergency dental services for adults and some limited restorative services, but comprehensive dental care for adults is not fully covered. Children have more extensive dental benefits under KanCare.
How long does it take to get approved for KanCare?
Kansas must process most applications within 45 days. Applications that require a disability determination can take up to 90 days. Pregnant women and children may receive faster determinations in some cases. Once approved, coverage is generally backdated to the first of the month when you applied.
