Black Health

Kentucky Medicaid

Kentucky Medicaid

Expansion adopted (2014) 12-month postpartum Doula covered · $1,150

Kentucky Medicaid covers pregnant women up to 200% of the federal poverty line — roughly $51,640 annual income for a family of three in 2025. The state adopted Medicaid expansion in 2014. Apply at https://kynect.ky.gov/ or call 1-855-459-6328.

On maternal health specifically: Kentucky Medicaid has extended postpartum Medicaid coverage to 12 months (effective 2022-04-01), and covers doula services through Medicaid at up to $1,150 per full perinatal package (effective 2024-01-01).

Kentucky launched doula Medicaid coverage January 2024 under the Beshear administration, reimbursing up to $1,150 per perinatal package. Kentucky Birth Coalition supports Black birth workers across Louisville and Lexington.

Key facts at a glance

  • Pregnant women eligible up to 200% FPL ($51,640 for a family of three in 2025).
  • Children 0-5 eligible up to 200% FPL ($51,640 for a family of three).
  • Expansion adults eligible up to 138% FPL ($35,630 for a family of three).
  • Doula reimbursement: $1,150 per full perinatal package.
  • Postpartum Medicaid extended to 12 months (effective 2022-04-01).

For Black families

Roughly 165,000 Black residents are enrolled in Kentucky Medicaid, per the most recent CMS T-MSIS analytic file. The number understates true eligibility: every state has Black eligibles who aren't currently enrolled, usually because of the administrative-churn rates that rose sharply during the 2023 unwinding.

Kentucky launched doula Medicaid coverage January 2024 under the Beshear administration, reimbursing up to $1,150 per perinatal package. Kentucky Birth Coalition supports Black birth workers across Louisville and Lexington.

For enrollment help: look for your state's Navigator program (federally funded under the ACA), a Federally Qualified Health Center in your county (every FQHC has certified application counselors on staff), or one of the named community organizations below. Our FQHC directory filters to this state at /clinics/ky/.

Data sources

Data refreshed: