MaineCare (Maine’s Medicaid program) provides free and low-cost coverage for Mainers who meet requirements based on household composition, income, and/or disability status. MaineCare covers doctor visits, emergencies, substance use disorder treatment, prescription drugs, and more.
For the most up-to-date information, visit MaineCare's website.
- Do I qualify for MaineCare?
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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.
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 actTax rebates, including the recent $1,200/
person stimulus paymentExpected 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 the 2026 MaineCare Eligibility Guidelines (PDF), or through MaineCare's website. Not sure if you or your family qualify? Call (800) 965-7476 for free, local help from Consumers for Affordable Health Care.
- What services does MaineCare cover?
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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 on the MaineCare website.
- What are the new MaineCare community engagement requirements?
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Starting in 2027, there are new rules for MaineCare. To qualify for MaineCare, MaineCare Expansion Adults must meet community engagement requirements. MaineCare Expansion Adults are people:
- 19 to 64 years old who get MaineCare based on their income, AND
- Don't meet the Social Security disability guidelines, AND
- Don't have Medicare
These requirements may be met through work, volunteering, or school. They exist in addition to MaineCare income eligibility requirements. More information is available from Maine's Office of Family Independence (OFI).
If you would be eligible for MaineCare based on income but don't meet the new community engagement requirements, you can still use CoverME.gov. You can enroll in a health plan, but you will have to pay full price. You won't be eligible for financial savings.
- For applicants age 55 or older
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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 (PDF).
- For applicants who are immigrants
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Updated October 2026: THIS PUBLIC CHARGE RULE HAS BEEN RESCINDED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, PLEASE SPEAK TO A TRUSTED LEGAL ADVOCATE.
The federal government attempted to make changes to 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 meant that, in some specific cases, enrolling in MaineCare might make it more difficult to have an immigration application approved. On November 2nd, 2020, a federal district court overturned the new rule, and in March 2021, the federal Department of Homeland Security announced it would no longer attempt to defend the rule change in court. This means that enrolling in MaineCare, except in some very limited circumstances, will not be considered in public charge determinations during the immigration application process.
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 public charge rules, contact Consumers for Affordable Health Care at 1-800-965-7476.