State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
Free, unbiased Medicare counseling in Kentucky. Trained counselors go through your costs and choices with you, and they don't sell plans.
Medicare and health costs
Kentucky Medicaid in Kentucky
Kentucky Medicaid can pay health costs Medicare doesn't for people 65 and older with low income and savings.
The Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) takes applications online through kynect, by phone or at a local office. If your income is over the limit, Kentucky has a spend-down path once your medical bills are counted.
How to apply in Kentucky
- By phone
- 1-855-306-8959
- In person
- At your local DCBS office, or with help from a kynector.
Applying is free. Nobody should charge you to apply.
Apply on the official siteWho may qualify in Kentucky
| One person | Married couple | |
|---|---|---|
| Income limit (2026) | $994 a month (the SSI level) | $1,491 a month (the SSI level) |
| Savings limit (2026) | $2,000 | $3,000 |
| Spend-down if your income is over the limit | Yes: you may qualify if medical bills bring your income down to $235 a month for one person or $291 for a couple (2026), counted over three months |
|---|---|
| Income limit for nursing-home or home-care Medicaid (2026) | $2,982 a month (300% of the SSI amount) |
| Medicaid for adults under 65 (expansion) | Yes: Kentucky expanded Medicaid to low-income adults under 65 |
Source: KFF (source 2)
How Kentucky is different
Where Kentucky's rules differ from the federal rules for Medicaid for people with Medicare.
- Spend-down available for people over the income limit
Source: KFF (source 2)
Free help
Free help with this in Kentucky
Department for Aging and Independent Living (DAIL)
Your local Area Agency on Aging can help with meals, rides, help at home, caregiver support and applying for benefits.
More help in Kentucky
Medicaid for older adults in another state
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Sources
- Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Department for Medicaid Services, How to Apply for Medicaid (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- KFF, Medicaid Eligibility Levels for Older Adults and People with Disabilities (Non-MAGI) in 2026. Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- KFF, Status of State Medicaid Expansion Decisions. Checked Oct 28, 2026.
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