North Carolina Medicaid income limits
Figures last checked November 2, 2026.
CMS lists North Carolina as a state that expanded Medicaid.
This page is not legal advice. Confirm the current income limit with your state Medicaid office. log80 is not a government service and is not Medicaid.
What CMS published
CMS published these as a percent of the federal poverty guideline. The income-counting rules (called MAGI) generally include a 5 percent poverty-guideline adjustment.
- Adult group (ages 19 to 64)
- 133%
- Parent or caretaker group
- 36%($)
CMS marked this parent or caretaker figure with ($). That means the state uses a dollar standard that CMS converted to a percent. We do not turn that percent back into dollars.
Official source: CMS: Medicaid, Children's Health Insurance Program, & Basic Health Program Eligibility Levels
We did not find a Medicaid dollar chart for North Carolina on the official pages we checked on November 2, 2026. The federal baseline that applies is shown below.
Federal baseline from HHS poverty guidelines
For the Medicaid adult group, CMS and federal rules set the income standard at 133 percent of the HHS poverty guideline. CMS also describes a 5 percent poverty-guideline adjustment, which is why people often hear 138 percent.
| Household size | HHS guideline (100%) | 133% of the HHS guideline | 138% of the HHS guideline |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $15,960 | $21,226.80 | $22,024.80 |
| 2 | $21,640 | $28,781.20 | $29,863.20 |
| 3 | $27,320 | $36,335.60 | $37,701.60 |
| 4 | $33,000 | $43,890.00 | $45,540.00 |
| 5 | $38,680 | $51,444.40 | $53,378.40 |
| 6 | $44,360 | $58,998.80 | $61,216.80 |
| 7 | $50,040 | $66,553.20 | $69,055.20 |
| 8 | $55,720 | $74,107.60 | $76,893.60 |
Each 133% amount is the published HHS dollar figure times 133%. Example for one person: $15,960 × 133% = $21,226.80.
For households larger than 8, HHS says add $5,680 for each additional person (the 100 percent guideline).
Official source: Federal Register: Annual Update of the HHS Poverty Guidelines (91 FR 1797, January 15, 2026)
Quoted official text
Quoted word for word from the official page.
CMS: Map Element — Medicaid & CHIP Enrollment (State Expanded Medicaid)
“North Carolina: Expanded”
Official source: medicaid.gov
Figures last checked November 2, 2026.
CMS: Medicaid, Children's Health Insurance Program, & Basic Health Program Eligibility Levels
“North Carolina Adults (Medicaid) Expansion to Adults: 133%”
Official source: medicaid.gov
Figures last checked November 2, 2026.
CMS: Medicaid, Children's Health Insurance Program, & Basic Health Program Eligibility Levels
“North Carolina Adults (Medicaid) Parent/Caretaker: 36%($)”
Official source: medicaid.gov
Figures last checked November 2, 2026.
CMS Implementation Guide: Adult Group
“The income standard for eligibility under this group is 133% FPL.”
Official source: medicaid.gov
Figures last checked November 2, 2026.
CMS: Medicaid, CHIP, and BHP Eligibility Levels (MAGI 5% FPL note)
“The MAGI-based rules generally include adjusting an individual’s income by an amount equivalent to a 5% FPL disregard.”
Official source: medicaid.gov
Figures last checked November 2, 2026.
eCFR: 42 CFR 435.119(b)(1)
“Are age 19 or older and under age 65;”
Official source: ecfr.gov
Figures last checked November 2, 2026.
eCFR: 42 CFR 435.119
“Have household income that is at or below 133 percent FPL for the applicable family size.”
Official source: ecfr.gov
Figures last checked November 2, 2026.
eCFR: 42 CFR 435.603(d)(4)
“a state must subtract an amount equivalent to 5 percentage points of the Federal poverty level for the applicable family size”
Official source: ecfr.gov
Figures last checked November 2, 2026.
Federal Register: Annual Update of the HHS Poverty Guidelines (91 FR 1797, January 15, 2026)
“The following guideline figures represent annual income.”
Official source: federalregister.gov
Figures last checked November 2, 2026.
Back to North Carolina · Income limits for every state
Log80 keeps your proof in one place.
Track your hours and make a monthly report to share with your state Medicaid office. It's free, in your browser or on Android.
Log80 is not a government service and is not Medicaid. This page is not legal advice. Your state Medicaid office decides who needs to meet the rule and what proof it takes.