Medicaid explained
Free health coverage for your family.
Medicaid covers doctor visits, prescriptions, and hospital stays at no cost or very low cost. Millions of families qualify and don't know it. Let's just check.
Yeah, but what if I don't qualify?
You'd be surprised. 1 in 5 Americans are on Medicaid. That's a lot!
The most common reason families miss out? They think they won't qualify.
Real talk:
We hear it every day. Here's what's actually true.
Exact income limits differ by state. See the full national eligibility guide →
Have you heard of Fabric?
We've been helping families since 2021. Here's what we've been up to:
We help families get Medicaid and SNAP, and check what they're eligible for. We're the real deal.
45k+
Families Fabric has helped
75%
Fabric approval rate
Always free
For every family
Why you can trust Fabric to help you
A real person, start to finish.
Applying for Medicaid can feel like a maze. Our team, former teachers, librarians, and social workers, sits with you through every step, in English or Spanish, until you have an answer.
- A 2-minute eligibility check before you fill out a single form.
- We gather the right documents and submit on your behalf.
- We track your status and text you every update.
- If you're denied, we help you appeal. A denial isn't the end.
How to apply with Fabric
Here's what happens when you work with us.
From your first check to approved coverage, step by step.
Quick eligibility check (2 minutes)
Answer a few simple questions about your household and income. No Social Security number needed. We tell you right away what you're likely to qualify for in your state.
A real Fabric person reaches out
A member of our team contacts you by phone or text, in English or Spanish. They answer your questions and tell you exactly what you need to move forward.
We gather your documents together
We tell you exactly which documents to get, pay stubs, ID, proof of address, and help you collect them. We've seen every variation. We know what works.
We submit the application
We fill out and submit your Medicaid application, checking everything before it goes in. Most applications are submitted within a few days of your first call.
You get an answer
Most decisions arrive within 30 to 45 days. We track your status and text you updates the whole way. If anything goes sideways, we handle it.
Fabric's Medicaid approval rate
75%
We know what it takes to get approved.
The national average for self-filed applications is much lower. Our team, former teachers, librarians, and social workers, fills out forms correctly, gathers the right documents, and follows up until you have an answer. We've got you.
Check if you qualifyWhere we can help
Fabric is live in three states — with more coming online soon.
Right now our team helps families enroll in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Illinois. Pick your state for specific eligibility and enrollment details.
PA
Pennsylvania Medicaid eligibility and enrollment
Medicaid and SNAP enrollment in Pennsylvania
MD
Maryland Medicaid eligibility and enrollment
Medicaid and SNAP enrollment in Maryland
IL
Illinois Medicaid eligibility and enrollment
Medicaid and SNAP enrollment in Illinois
Not in PA, MD, or IL yet?
More states are coming online soon. In the meantime, text us your questions and a real person will help point you in the right direction.
Text us at (215) 555-1234Common questions
Your questions, answered.
What is the Medicaid income limit?
Medicaid income limits depend on your state and household size. In expansion states like Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Maryland, adults earning up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level may qualify, about $20,783 for a single adult in 2026. Limits are higher for families with children and pregnant women. The fastest way to know your number is Fabric's free 2-minute check. See the full eligibility guide →
Does Medicaid cover dental?
Dental coverage varies by state. For children, dental is required under CHIP. For adults in Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Maryland, some dental services are covered, with emergency dental included in all three states. Fabric can help you find out exactly what your plan covers and connect you with a participating dentist.
Can I have Medicaid and Medicare at the same time?
Yes. People who qualify for both are called dual eligible. Medicaid can cover costs Medicare doesn't, like premiums, co-pays, dental, vision, and long-term care. Medicare Savings Programs are designed specifically for this situation. If you have Medicare and a low income, you may be leaving significant savings on the table. Learn about Medicare Extra Help →
How long does it take to get approved?
Most Medicaid decisions come within 30 to 45 days of submitting a complete application. Pregnant women and people with urgent medical needs may qualify for faster processing. Incomplete applications are the most common cause of delays. Fabric reviews everything before submission, which is a big reason our approval rate is 75%.
Can I apply for Medicaid if I'm working?
Yes. Working does not disqualify you. Many working families qualify, especially if your employer doesn't offer affordable health insurance, or your income falls below the limit for your household size. Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Maryland all expanded Medicaid under the ACA, making it available to more working adults than ever.
What if my application is denied?
A denial is not always final. You have the right to appeal, typically within 90 days. Denials often happen because of missing documents or incorrectly calculated income, not actual ineligibility. Fabric has helped many families successfully appeal. If you were denied, message or text us and we'll look at your case.
Does applying affect my immigration status?
Applying for Medicaid for your U.S. citizen children does not affect your immigration status. Rules are more nuanced for mixed-status families. Fabric does not share your information with immigration authorities. Message us directly and we'll connect you with someone who can walk through your situation safely and confidentially.
The details · For the record
Want to know more about Medicaid and what it covers?
What Medicaid is
Medicaid is a joint federal and state health insurance program that provides free or low-cost coverage to eligible families and individuals. It is administered by each state and funded in part by the federal government through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).1 More than 90 million people are covered by Medicaid in the United States.1
Unlike most private insurance, Medicaid has no monthly premium for most enrollees, and very low or no co-pays. Approved members can use coverage at any participating doctor, hospital, or pharmacy, often at no out-of-pocket cost.2
What Medicaid covers
- Doctor visits
- Primary care, specialists, and preventive checkups, usually with no or very low co-pay.
- Prescriptions
- Most generic and brand-name medications, including insulin and mental-health drugs.
- Hospital care
- Emergency visits, surgeries, and inpatient stays.
- Pregnancy & newborns
- Prenatal care, delivery, and newborn care. Medicaid pays for nearly half of U.S. births.3
- Mental health
- Therapy, counseling, and substance-use treatment under federal parity rules.
- Children's care (CHIP)
- Kids in families earning slightly above the Medicaid limit may qualify for CHIP.
Eligibility & income limits
Each state sets its own income limits within federal rules. In expansion states such as Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Maryland, adults earning up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level may qualify — about $20,783 for a single adult in 2026.4 Limits are higher for families with children and for pregnant women. Most decisions are issued within 30 to 45 days of a complete application.2
Related programs
Sources
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. “Medicaid.” medicaid.gov/medicaid. Accessed June 2026.
- U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. “Medicaid & CHIP.” hhs.gov/medicaid. Accessed June 2026.
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. “Maternal & Infant Health.” medicaid.gov. Accessed June 2026.
- U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services. “2026 Poverty Guidelines.” aspe.hhs.gov/poverty-guidelines. Accessed June 2026.
Your family deserves this.
Check if you qualify for Medicaid in your state. It takes 2 minutes and costs nothing. Always free.
Always free · English and Spanish · 30+ languages online · No SSN needed to start