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50 W. Town Street, Suite 400 Columbus, Ohio 43215 The State of Ohio is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Provider of ADA Services

Medicaid Eligibility Procedure Letter (MEPL) No. 194

Effective Date: March 1, 2026

Issue Date: January 21, 2026

OAC Rules: 5160:1-3-02.1, 5160:1-4-02, 5160:1-4-03, 5160:1-4-04, 5160:1-4-05, 5160:1-5-03, and 5160:1-5-04

To:

Directors, County Departments of Job and Family Services Other Interested Parties

From:

Scott Partika, Director

Subject: Medicaid: 2026 Federal Poverty Level Income Guidelines

Reason for Change: On January 14, 2026, the United States Department of Health and Human Services updated the federal poverty level (FPL) income guidelines. In accordance with Section 1905(p)(2)(D) of the Social Security Act, the annual cost-of- living adjustment (COLA) is deducted from an individual’s countable income for the Medicare Premium Assistance Programs (MPAP) until the annual federal poverty guidelines take effect.

New Policy: The FPL income guidelines for MAGI-Based Medicaid, Medicaid Buy-in for Workers with Disabilities (MBIWD), Ohio WorkAbility, and the Medicare Premium Assistance Programs (MPAP) will be changed effective March 1, 2026.

Action Required: Beginning March 1, 2026, the County Department of Job and Family Services (CDJFS) must determine initial and ongoing eligibility for MAGI-Based Medicaid, MBIWD, Ohio WorkAbility, and MPAP using the following FPL income guidelines: