Mainers are eligible for MaineCare coverage if they meet certain requirements, including having a household income below certain limits. Different income limits apply to people with different circumstances, and depending on your situation, some people in your household may qualify but not others.

Maximum Monthly Household Income

Household Size	Adults Ages 21-64	Young Adults Ages 19-20	Children Ages 1-18	Infants Under age 1	Pregnant Women Include expected babies in household size
1	$1,468	$1,712	$1,723	$2,085	-
2	$1,983	$2,314	$2,328	$2,816	$3,075
3	$2,498	$2,915	$2,933	$3,548	$3,874
4	$3,013	$3,516	$3,537	$4,280	$4,673
Each additional person	+$516	+$602	+$605	+$732	+$796

Scroll/swipe sideways to view the full table if necessary

What counts as monthly income for MaineCare?

	Current income earned by you, your spouse, and anyone else counted in your household
	Severance benefits (in the month received)
	Base unemployment benefits
	Supplemental $600/week unemployment benefits from CARES act
	Tax rebates, including the recent $1,200/ person stimulus payment
	Expected future earnings
	SNAP benefits

People with disabilities and those with certain health conditions can qualify for MaineCare even at higher household income levels. You can find more detailed income limits in this 2020 summary of eligibility guidelines. Not sure if you or your family qualifies? Call (800) 965-7476 for free, local help from Consumers for Affordable Health Care.

MaineCare covers essential health care needs. This includes: visits to your doctor, prescription drugs, treatment for mental health needs and substance abuse disorder, surgery, emergency care, and more. Learn more about what’s covered in the MaineCare Member Handbook.

If you are 55 or older, you may have heard that signing up for MaineCare could put your home or savings at risk if you need long term services and supports like nursing home care. Although in some cases federal law does require Maine to try to recover costs of care from a beneficiary’s estate, the State only pursues this option in certain circumstances and has policies in place to protect family members and individuals experiencing hardship. Learn more about estate recovery.

As of February 24, 2020, the federal government has changed the rules they use to decide whether some people applying for green cards and certain visas are likely to depend on government resources in the United States. These new “public charge” rules mean that, in some specific cases, enrolling in MaineCare might make it more difficult to have an immigration application approved.

It is important that anyone who might be impacted understand when these rules do – and do not – apply. The new rules only impact people applying for family-based green cards and certain visas, and do not apply to refugees, asylees, asylum seekers, and people with other humanitarian statuses. Only the applicant individual’s use of benefits is considered under this rule, and it does not apply to enrollment in benefit programs by their family members. The organization Protecting Immigrant Families has a guide with more information if you’re wondering who is impacted by this change.

In April 2020, the federal government announced that testing, treatment, and preventive care (including a vaccine if one becomes available) for COVID-19 will not be considered in the public charge test. These services will have no negative impact, even if such treatment is provided or paid for by MaineCare. Learn more on the U.S. Customs and Immigration Control website.

The information provided here is not intended as legal advice. If you aren’t, or a person you are helping to apply for MaineCare is not, a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States and you have questions about this rule change, contact Consumers for Affordable Health Care at 1-800-965-7476.

Although the annual open enrollment period has ended, you can still shop for a plan if you have experienced a “qualifying life event,” including losing health coverage through an employer or a family member’s employer. You have 60 days from when you lose job-based coverage to apply for a plan through the Marketplace, so don’t wait. Coverage starts on the first day of the month after you pick a plan.

Businesses with 20 or more employees are required to offer temporary continuation of health care benefits to employees losing coverage because of layoffs or closure. Employees who choose to extend their health plan are responsible for paying the full premium of the plan, so it is worth checking whether you qualify for MaineCare or a less expensive plan through the Marketplace before choosing COBRA coverage. You can learn more about COBRA from the U.S. Department of Labor.

People in Maine who are temporarily laid off by a business with less than 20 employees may still qualify for limited continuation coverage under Maine law. You can learn more about this option, known as “mini-COBRA” from the Maine Bureau of Insurance.

U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and eligible immigrants who are uninsured and earn too much to qualify for full MaineCare coverage can be tested for free through MaineCare’s COVID-19 Testing Coverage for Uninsured Individuals program. More information and a link to apply are included in this summary of the program.

People who meet income guidelines for MaineCare but are not eligible due to their immigration status can qualify for limited coverage in emergency circumstances, including if they need testing or treatment for COVID-19. Learn more in this guidance document.