Kentucky Medicaid
Updated August 2026
Kentucky's Medicaid program is administered by the Department for Medicaid Services (DMS), a division of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS). Kentucky expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, making it available to most adults ages 19 through 64 with income at or below 138% of the Federal Poverty Level. As of 2025, approximately 1.5 million Kentuckians are enrolled — about 34% of the state's population.
Kentucky Medicaid: key H.R. 1 changes take effect October 2026 and January 2027
Under H.R. 1 (signed July 4, 2025), immigrant eligibility for Kentucky Medicaid narrows starting October 1, 2026 — refugees, asylees, and several other lawfully present groups generally lose eligibility unless they have since become lawful permanent residents, though children, pregnant women, and Emergency Medicaid remain unaffected. Starting January 1, 2027, adults ages 19–64 who qualify for Medicaid based on income must complete 80 hours a month of work or community engagement (exemptions apply for parents of young children, people who are medically frail, and others), renewals for this group move to every six months, and retroactive coverage is limited to one month before application. Kentucky Medicaid begins mailing notices July 1, 2026. Details: khbe.ky.gov/Enrollment/Pages/MedicaidChanges.aspx or call kynect at 1-855-459-6328.
What is Kentucky Medicaid?
Kentucky Medicaid operates through managed care organizations (MCOs). Members are enrolled in one of the contracted plans: Aetna Better Health of Kentucky, Humana Healthy Horizons of Kentucky, Passport Health Plan by Molina, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan, or WellCare of Kentucky. Note that Anthem Kentucky Managed Care Plan is no longer a Kentucky Medicaid MCO, having exited the program effective January 1, 2025. Former Anthem members were transitioned to other MCOs.
Members apply and manage their coverage through kynect — Kentucky's integrated benefits portal at kynect.ky.gov. Kynect handles eligibility for Medicaid, KCHIP, and marketplace coverage through a single application.
Who qualifies for Kentucky Medicaid?
Because Kentucky expanded Medicaid, a single adult without children earning below 138% FPL qualifies for full coverage. There is no asset test for MAGI-based groups — savings and vehicles do not affect eligibility.
- Adults ages 19–64 with income at or below 138% FPL (ACA expansion)
- Children under 19 — standard Medicaid below KCHIP threshold
- KCHIP: children up to 218% FPL (Kentucky's CHIP program)
- Pregnant women up to approximately 195% FPL
- People age 65+ or with qualifying disabilities — income and asset limits apply
- Former foster care youth up to age 26 — no income limit
Kentucky Medicaid managed care: your MCO options
When you are approved for Kentucky Medicaid, you will be assigned to or choose from the available MCOs in your region. Each MCO manages a network of providers, handles prior authorization requests, and delivers the Medicaid benefit package. Contact information for current Kentucky MCOs:
- Aetna Better Health of Kentucky — aetnabetterhealth.com/kentucky
- Humana Healthy Horizons of Kentucky — humana.com/medicaid/kentucky-medicaid
- Passport Health Plan by Molina — passporthealthplan.com
- UnitedHealthcare Community Plan — uhccommunityplan.com/ky
- WellCare of Kentucky — wellcare.com/Kentucky
You can switch MCOs during an annual open enrollment window or with a qualifying reason (such as a provider leaving your network). Contact kynect at 1-855-459-6328 or DMS for help comparing plans.
Rural Health Transformation in Kentucky
Kentucky will receive $212.9 million over five years through the CMS Rural Health Transformation Fund, announced in 2025, to address health challenges in rural parts of the state. This funding specifically targets Medicaid members and providers in rural communities where access to specialists, behavioral health, and primary care is limited. Learn more at ruralhealthplan.ky.gov.
Related guides
What Is Medicaid?
An overview of how the program works, who runs it, and who it covers.
Read more →Eligibility Requirements
The income, household, age, and state rules that determine who qualifies.
Read more →How to Apply
A step-by-step walkthrough of the application process and what you'll need.
Read more →