State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
Free, unbiased Medicare counseling in Nebraska. Trained counselors go through your costs and choices with you, and they don't sell plans.
Medicare and health costs
Nebraska Medicaid in Nebraska
Nebraska Medicaid can pay health costs Medicare doesn't for people 65 and older.
You may qualify with income up to the poverty level and savings up to $4,000 for one person or $6,000 for a couple, higher than most states allow. If your income is over the limit, you may still qualify through medically needy coverage once medical bills bring your income down far enough.
How to apply in Nebraska
- By phone
- 1-855-632-7633
- By mail
- Call 1-855-632-7633 to request a paper application.
Applying is free. Nobody should charge you to apply.
Apply on the official siteWho may qualify in Nebraska
| One person | Married couple | |
|---|---|---|
| Income limit (2026) | $1,330 a month (100% of the poverty level) | $1,804 a month (100% of the poverty level) |
| Savings limit (2026) | $4,000 | $6,000 |
| Spend-down if your income is over the limit | Yes: through medically needy coverage you may qualify if medical bills bring your income down to $392 a month for one or two people (2026) |
|---|---|
| Medicaid for adults under 65 (expansion) | Yes: Heritage Health Adult covers adults 19 to 64 with income up to $1,769 a month for one person (133% of the poverty level, 2026) |
Source: Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (source 1)
How Nebraska is different
Where Nebraska's rules differ from the federal rules for Medicaid for people with Medicare.
- Higher income limit: 100% of the poverty level
- Higher savings limit: $4,000 for one person, $6,000 for a couple
- Spend-down (medically needy) available for people over the income limit
Source: Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (source 1)
Good to know
- Nebraska Medicaid lets a nursing-home resident keep a personal needs allowance of $75 a month.
Source: Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (source 1)
Free help
Free help with this in Nebraska
State Unit on Aging
Your local Area Agency on Aging can help with meals, rides, help at home, caregiver support and applying for benefits.
More help in Nebraska
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
- Missouri
- Montana
- 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
- Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Medicaid Income Levels, Federal Poverty Levels, and Resources (figures effective 1/1/2026 unless noted) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Medicaid Eligibility (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
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