Alabama Medicaid
Last updated August 2026
Alabama Medicaid covers children, pregnant women, and low-income parents, but there is one hard fact to know up front: Alabama has not expanded Medicaid. Coverage for parents and caretaker relatives is only for families with very low income who have a child under 19 at home, and childless, non-elderly, non-disabled adults generally do not qualify. Apply through the Insure Alabama portal at insurealabama.adph.state.al.us.
The children's and pregnancy doors are the widest, so start there. Pregnant women and children under 19 qualify up to 146 percent of poverty. Effective February 2026 that is a monthly limit of $1,942 for one person, $3,324 for three, $4,015 for four. If a child does not qualify because of income, the application is forwarded to ALL Kids, the state's CHIP.
The parent limit is the hardest number to hear. Parents and caretaker relatives qualify only at roughly 18 percent of poverty: $240 a month for one, $325 for two, $410 for three, $495 for four. Many working parents fall in the gap above that. Apply for the children regardless.
The coverage for those who qualify is strong. Children under 19 get 12 months of continuous eligibility and full coverage, regardless of changes. Pregnant women get full coverage that can begin up to three months before the application month and continues 12 months after the baby is born.
There is a family-planning door too. Plan First covers birth control and family planning services for females 19 to 55 and males 21 and older, even for people over the full-Medicaid income limits.
Even if the adults do not qualify, apply for the children and check the federal Marketplace at HealthCare.gov, which may offer low-cost plans above these limits. 2-1-1 points to community health centers that see patients regardless of coverage.
Phone 1-800-362-1504
Help available in English and Spanish.
Updated August 2026 Program details can change — confirm with the program directly.
Who qualifies
- Alabama residents who meet the income rules for their group; children, pregnant women, low-income parents, older adults, and people with disabilities each have their own pathway
- Alabama did not expand Medicaid, so low-income adults ages 19 to 64 without dependent children usually do not qualify, though a pregnancy or disability can open a pathway
You may qualify. The program makes the final decision.
How to apply
- 1
Apply through the Insure Alabama portal at insurealabama.adph.state.al.us.
- 2
If the adults are over the limit, apply for the children; over-income kids are forwarded to ALL Kids.
- 3
A pregnant applicant should apply right away; coverage can reach back three months.
- 4
If no one qualifies, check HealthCare.gov for low-cost Marketplace plans.
What to have ready
- Photo ID and Social Security numbers for those applying
- Proof of income and Alabama residency
- Proof that a child lives with you, for parent or child coverage.
What the application looks like
Common questions
Can a childless adult get Medicaid in Alabama?
Generally no. Alabama has not expanded Medicaid, so non-elderly, non-disabled adults without children at home usually do not qualify.
What is the income limit for parents?
Roughly 18 percent of poverty: $240 a month for one person, $410 for three. Many working parents fall above it. Apply for the children regardless.
What about my kids and pregnancy?
Children under 19 and pregnant women qualify up to 146 percent of poverty ($1,942 a month for one, $4,015 for four, from February 2026). Over-income children are forwarded to ALL Kids.
How long does children's coverage last?
Children under 19 get 12 months of continuous eligibility, regardless of changes. Pregnancy coverage continues 12 months after birth.
Not sure this is the right program for your situation?
See all Alabama programs →Free · Private · No account needed