Vermont Medicaid income limits
Last verified: June 2026
Verify current limits with Vermont Medicaid (Green Mountain Care)
Vermont has some of the highest Medicaid income limits in the country, especially for children and pregnant women
Vermont Medicaid income limits by coverage group (2026)
| Coverage group | FPL threshold | Program name |
|---|---|---|
| Adults ages 19–64 | Up to 138% FPL | Vermont Medicaid |
| Children under age 19 | Up to 312% FPL | Dr. Dynasaur |
| Pregnant women | Up to 208% FPL | Vermont Medicaid |
| Aged, blind, or disabled (MABD) | Separate rules apply | DVHA/MABD pathway |
Source: DVHA Vermont Medicaid Programs page; Vermont Health Connect eligibility guidance. Apply through Vermont Health Connect at portal.healthconnect.vermont.gov to get a specific determination. Contact DVHA at 1-855-899-9600 for income limit questions.
Dr. Dynasaur: Vermont's children's program at 312% FPL
Dr. Dynasaur is Vermont's integrated children's health coverage program that spans both Medicaid and CHIP populations. At 312% FPL, it reaches well into moderate-income families — a family of four earning approximately $100,000 per year would still qualify their children for Dr. Dynasaur coverage in 2026.
This is one of the most generous children's programs in the country by income threshold. Very few states cover children above 300% FPL. Vermont's ability to maintain this level reflects the Global Commitment to Health waiver's flexibility, which allows Vermont to use Medicaid funds in ways that standard federal rules would not permit.
No asset test for MAGI-based Vermont Medicaid
MAGI-based Medicaid — covering expansion adults, children (Dr. Dynasaur), and pregnant women — does not use an asset test. Savings, vehicles, and home equity are not counted.
MABD (Medicaid for the Aged, Blind and Disabled) and Long-Term Care Medicaid (Choices for Care) do apply financial eligibility rules beyond income. Contact DVHA at 1-855-899-9600 or visit dvha.vermont.gov/members/long-term-care for specifics on LTC financial eligibility.
How Medicaid income limits work
Medicaid eligibility is tied to the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), a measure the Department of Health and Human Services updates each January. States set their income limits as a percentage of FPL — so when FPL increases, the dollar thresholds for Medicaid also shift.
The Affordable Care Act established a standard income methodology called Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) for most Medicaid applicants. Under MAGI, the agency counts wages, salaries, self-employment income, Social Security benefits, and most other taxable income. Assets — a savings account, vehicle, home — are not counted for MAGI-based programs. That changed with the ACA and applies in all states.
States that expanded Medicaid under the ACA cover most adults at or below 138% FPL. In non-expansion states, income limits for adults without dependent children are far lower — sometimes as low as a few hundred dollars per month — or eligibility for that category simply doesn't exist.
These are federal guidelines — state limits may differ
What counts as income under MAGI
MAGI (Modified Adjusted Gross Income) is the income standard for most Medicaid applicants — children, adults under 65, pregnant women, and parents. It includes wages, salary, tips, self-employment income, unemployment benefits, Social Security retirement and disability benefits (SSDI), and most other taxable income.
It does not count child support received, gifts, loans, inheritances that are not generating income, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments. One key MAGI rule: the ACA added a 5% FPL income disregard for most adults, which effectively raises the usable threshold by that amount. So a state with a 133% FPL limit effectively covers adults to about 138% FPL after the disregard.
Assets — a bank account, car, or home — are not counted for MAGI-based programs. That's a major difference from old-law Medicaid, where asset tests were common. If you previously didn't qualify because of assets, your eligibility may have changed after the ACA.
Asset limits and long-term care Medicaid
MAGI-based programs have no asset test. But Medicaid programs that cover long-term care — nursing home care, home and community-based services for seniors — use the old income and asset methodology, which does include asset limits.
Asset limits for long-term care Medicaid vary by state and are updated periodically. Generally, countable assets above the limit must be spent down before an applicant qualifies. Exempt assets — the primary home (in most circumstances), one vehicle, and certain personal property — are not counted.
Specific asset limits for Vermont's long-term care programs are on the seniors and long-term care page. The thresholds change, so verify current figures with Vermont Medicaid (Green Mountain Care) directly.