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Medicare and health costs
MO HealthNet (Medicaid) in Missouri
MO HealthNet is Missouri's Medicaid program. People 65 and older may qualify with income up to $1,131 a month for one person and savings up to $6,220.50, a higher savings limit than most states.
If your income is over the limit, MO HealthNet's spend down program may still cover you once you pay or owe enough in medical bills.
How to apply in Missouri
- By phone
- 855-373-9994
- By mail
- People 65 and older must also complete the MO HealthNet for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled supplemental form (IM-1ABDS); documents can be uploaded at mydssupload.mo.gov.
Applying is free. Nobody should charge you to apply.
Apply on the official siteWho may qualify in Missouri
| One person | Married couple | |
|---|---|---|
| Income limit (from April 1, 2026) | $1,131 a month | $1,533 a month |
| Savings limit (from July 1, 2026) | $6,220.50 | $12,441 |
| Spend-down if your income is over the limit | Yes: through spend down you may qualify if your medical bills bring your income down to $1,131 a month for one person or $1,533 for a couple (2026) |
|---|---|
| Income rule for nursing-home Medicaid (2026) | No set income cap: in a nursing facility, all your income except a $50 personal needs allowance and allowable deductions goes to the facility; savings limit $6,220.50 |
| Medicaid for adults under 65 (expansion) | Yes: MO HealthNet takes applications from adults 19 to 64 without disabilities |
How Missouri is different
Where Missouri's rules differ from the federal rules for Medicaid for people with Medicare.
- Higher income limit than SSI: $1,131 a month for one person
- Higher savings limit: $6,220.50 for one person, $12,441 for a couple
- Spend down available for people over the income limit
- Home and Community Based Services (HCB) provide nursing-facility-level care in your own home
Free help
Free help with this in Missouri
Division of Senior and Disability Services (DSDS)
Your local Area Agency on Aging can help with meals, rides, help at home, caregiver support and applying for benefits.
More help in Missouri
Medicaid for older adults in another state
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
- Missouri Department of Social Services, Eligibility Standards for Non-MAGI Programs (10/2026) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- Missouri Department of Social Services, Apply for MO HealthNet (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
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