Seniors' Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP)
Free, unbiased Medicare counseling in North Carolina. Trained counselors go through your costs and choices with you, and they don't sell plans.
Medicare and health costs
NC Medicaid in North Carolina
NC Medicaid covers people 65 and older through Medicaid for the Aged (MAA) and can pay health costs Medicare doesn't.
You may qualify with income up to the poverty level and savings up to $2,000 for one person. If your income is higher, you may still qualify by meeting a Medicaid deductible with your medical bills.
How to apply in North Carolina
- By phone
- 1-888-245-0179
- In person
- At your county Department of Social Services (DSS). You can also mail, email or fax an application to your local DSS, or drop it off.
Applying is free. Nobody should charge you to apply.
Apply on the official siteWho may qualify in North Carolina
| One person | Married couple | |
|---|---|---|
| Income limit (April 2026) | $1,330 a month (100% of the poverty level) | $1,804 a month (100% of the poverty level) |
| Savings limit (April 2026) | $2,000 | $3,000 |
| Spend-down if your income is over the limit | Yes: you may qualify by meeting a Medicaid deductible, which is your countable income minus $242 a month for one person or $317 for two (the Medically Needy Income Limit) |
|---|---|
| Income rule for nursing-home Medicaid | No deductible to qualify in a nursing facility, but you pay all your monthly income toward your care except a $70 personal needs allowance and medical costs not covered |
| Medicaid for adults under 65 (expansion) | Yes: Medicaid Expansion covers adults 19 to 64 with income up to $1,769 a month for one person (133% of the poverty level) |
Source: North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (source 1)
How North Carolina is different
Where North Carolina's rules differ from the federal rules for Medicaid for people with Medicare.
- Higher income limit: 100% of the poverty level
- Spend-down (Medicaid deductible) available for people over the income limit
Source: North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (source 1)
Good to know
- People who get SSI are automatically entitled to Medicaid without a separate application.
- On the ePASS application, NC Medicaid is called "Medical Assistance."
Sources: North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (source 1), NC Medicaid, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (source 2)
Free help
Free help with this in North Carolina
More help in North Carolina
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
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
- North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Basic Medicaid Eligibility Requirements (revised 4/1/2026) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- NC Medicaid, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, How To Apply for NC Medicaid (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
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