MaineCare

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. 

Do I qualify for MaineCare?

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 (21-64) YOUNG ADULTS (19-20)  CHILDREN  PREGNANT INDIVIDUALS
1 $1,733  $3,828  $3,828  N/A 
2 $2,352  $5,196  $5,196  $3,646 
3 $2,970  $6,593  $6,593  $4,605 
4 $3,588  $7,930  $7,930  $5,564 
Each additional family member $597  $1,345  $1,345  $938 

What counts as monthly income for MaineCare?

Do include Current income earned by you, your spouse, and anyone else counted in your household
Do include Severance benefits (in the month received)
Do include Base unemployment benefits
Do not include Supplemental $600/week
unemployment benefits from CARES act
Do not include Tax rebates, including the recent $1,200/
person stimulus payment
Do not include Expected future earnings
Do not include 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 2024 summary of eligibility guidelines (PDF). Not sure if you or your family qualifies? Call (800) 965-7476 for free, local help from Consumers for Affordable Health Care.

What services does MaineCare cover?

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.

For applicants age 55 or older

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

Recently, 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.