138% of the Federal Poverty Level (2026): The Medicaid expansion line
2025 HHS guidelines · applies to 2026 marketplace coverage · Last reviewed July 2026
$21,597/yr single$44,367/yr family of 4≈$1,800/mo single
138% of FPL in dollars, by household size
| Household size | 48 states + DC | Alaska | Hawaii |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $21,597 | $26,979 | $24,826 |
| 2 | $29,187 | $36,473 | $33,562 |
| 3 | $36,777 | $45,968 | $42,297 |
| 4 | $44,367 | $55,462 | $51,032 |
| 5 | $51,957 | $64,957 | $59,768 |
| 6 | $59,547 | $74,451 | $68,503 |
| 7 | $67,137 | $83,945 | $77,239 |
| 8 | $74,727 | $93,440 | $85,974 |
Income here means MAGI — adjusted gross income plus tax-exempt interest, untaxed Social Security, and excluded foreign income — for your whole tax household.
What happens at this line
In the 40 expansion states + DC, adults with household income up to 138% of FPL qualify for Medicaid — comprehensive coverage that's free or nearly free, enrollable any day of the year. That's the single most valuable eligibility line in US health coverage.
In the 10 non-expansion states (AL, FL, GA, KS, MS, SC, TN, TX, WI*, WY), this line means something different: adults here rely on marketplace subsidies, which at this income cap the benchmark plan at roughly 3.3% of income — plus maximum-strength cost-sharing reductions on silver plans. (*Wisconsin covers to 100% via waiver.)
If you're near this line in an expansion state, small MAGI changes flip you between Medicaid and marketplace — both are good outcomes, but they're different systems with different networks; check both before enrolling.
Compare 2026 plans and prices side by side
Licensed marketplaces and brokers can show you every plan available at your address — including ones with better networks or lower deductibles than your current plan.
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Check your own number
The FPL calculator converts your income and household size into an exact percentage and lists everything it qualifies you for. Then estimate your subsidy in the 2026 subsidy calculator.
Other thresholds: 100% · 133% · 150% · 200% · 250% · 300% · 400%