Medicaid in Georgia (2026): Eligibility and How to Apply

What Is Georgia Medicaid / Gateway?

Medicaid is a joint federal-state health insurance program that provides free or low-cost coverage to people who meet income and eligibility requirements. In Georgia, the Medicaid program is called Georgia Medicaid / Gateway. It is administered by the state but jointly funded by state and federal governments.

Georgia Has NOT Expanded Medicaid

Georgia has not expanded Medicaid under the ACA. Medicaid eligibility for non-disabled, non-pregnant adults without children remains very limited — generally below approximately $9,326 per year. Most low-income adults in Georgia who do not fit a traditional Medicaid eligibility category must use the ACA marketplace for coverage.

Adults earning below 100% FPL in non-expansion states like Georgia fall into the "coverage gap" — they earn too little to qualify for marketplace subsidies (which start at 100% FPL) but too much for their state’s Medicaid program. The ARP and IRA extended enhanced subsidies, but the coverage gap remains a significant issue in non-expansion states.

Georgia Medicaid Eligibility Categories

Beyond the general adult expansion (in states that expanded), Medicaid covers several other groups:

• Children: All states cover children in families at much higher income thresholds than adult Medicaid, often up to 200-300% FPL or more through CHIP
• Pregnant women: Covered at higher income thresholds (typically 185-250% FPL) in all states
• People with disabilities: SSI recipients and people with qualifying disabilities are eligible in all states
• Elderly adults: Adults 65+ with limited income and resources qualify through the Medicare Savings Programs

Marketplace as Alternative in Georgia

If you don’t qualify for Georgia Medicaid / Gateway, the ACA marketplace is your primary option. Georgia marketplace carriers include: Ambetter from Peach State Health, BCBS of Georgia, Kaiser Permanente (Atlanta), Aetna, Cigna. ACA premium tax credits are available for households earning between 100% and 400% FPL (~$15,650–$62,600 for a single adult in 2026).