North Dakota SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program)
Free, unbiased Medicare counseling in North Dakota. Trained counselors go through your costs and choices with you, and they don't sell plans.
Medicare and health costs
North Dakota Medicaid in North Dakota
North Dakota Medicaid can pay health costs Medicare doesn't for people 65 and older.
People who get SSI qualify, and others may qualify through North Dakota's medically needy program, whose income level of 90% of the poverty level ($1,197 a month for one person) is higher than the SSI amount. If your income is above it, your medical bills can make up the difference.
How to apply in North Dakota
- By phone
- 1-866-614-6005
- In person
- At a human service zone office. You can also return a paper application to a zone office or email it to applyforhelp@nd.gov.
Applying is free. Nobody should charge you to apply.
Apply on the official siteWho may qualify in North Dakota
| One person | Married couple | |
|---|---|---|
| Income limit (from April 1, 2026) | $1,197 a month (90% of the poverty level, North Dakota's medically needy income level) | $1,623 a month (90% of the poverty level) Source: North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services (source 1) |
| Savings limit (2026) | $3,000 | $6,000 Source: KFF (source 3) |
| Spend-down if your income is over the limit | Yes: if your income is over $1,197 a month for one person or $1,623 for two (2026), you may qualify once your medical bills bring it down to that level Source: North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services (source 1) |
|---|---|
| Medicaid for adults under 65 (expansion) | Yes: North Dakota expanded Medicaid to low-income adults under 65 Source: KFF (source 4) |
How North Dakota is different
Where North Dakota's rules differ from the federal rules for Medicaid for people with Medicare.
- Much higher income level through medically needy coverage: 90% of the poverty level
- Spend-down available for people over the income level
Source: North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services (source 1)
Good to know
- Nursing-home residents keep $118 a month of their income for personal needs.
Source: North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services (source 1)
Free help
Free help with this in North Dakota
Adult and Aging Services
Your local Area Agency on Aging can help with meals, rides, help at home, caregiver support and applying for benefits.
More help in North Dakota
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
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- Nevada
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- New Jersey
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- New York
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
- North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, Income Levels 510-05-85-40 (Non-ACA Medicaid Policy Manual, revised 7/1/2026) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, Ways to Apply (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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