The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on Thursday released updated federal poverty level standards applied to eligibility criteria for Medicaid.

For 2023, the poverty guideline in all states except Alaska and Hawaii is $14,580 for a one-person family/household and $19,720 for a two-person family/household.

2023 standards for individuals dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid:

  • For qualified Medicare beneficiaries, the monthly income limit is 100% of the federal poverty level plus $20. For all states except Alaska and Hawaii, dollar amounts are $1,235 per individual and $1,663 per couple. Asset limits are $9,090 for individuals and $13,630 per couple.
  • For specified low-income Medicare beneficiaries, the monthly income limit is 120% of the federal poverty level plus $20. For all states except Alaska and Hawaii, dollar amounts are $1,478 per individual and $1,992 per couple. Asset limits are $9,090 for individuals and $13,630 per couple.
  • For qualifying individuals, the monthly income limit is 135% of the federal poverty level plus $20. For all states except Alaska and Hawaii, dollar amounts are $1,660 per individual and $2,239 per couple. Asset limits are $9,090 for individuals and $13,630 per couple.
  • For qualified disabled working individuals, the monthly income limit is 200% of the federal poverty level plus $20. For all states except Alaska and Hawaii, dollar amounts are $4,945 per individual and $6,659 per couple. Asset limits are $4,000 for individuals and $6,000  per couple.

The annual updates to the standards, required by law, increase the Census Bureau’s current official poverty thresholds by the relevant percentage change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers. The 2023 guidelines in part reflect the 8% price increase between calendar years 2021 and 2022, CMS said.

The asset limits are not derived from poverty levels but instead relate to the Medicare low-income subsidy asset limits, CMS said.

For additional information, see the CMS bulletin and the Federal Register publication.