Pregnant women Washington · Washington Apple Health

Medicaid for pregnant women in Washington

Q: How does Washington Medicaid work for Black pregnant patients?

Washington Apple Health covers pregnant people up to 215% of the poverty level (about $58,740 a year for a family of three in 2026). These limits include the 5% income disregard federal rules apply (42 CFR 435.603). The state makes the final decision based on your household and income. Washington Medicaid covers people for 12 months after pregnancy ends (since April 2022). Washington Medicaid covers doula care, including support during labor and birth, since January 2025. Being enrolled in Medicaid counts as meeting WIC's income test, so you do not need to prove your income again; WIC still checks for a nutrition need (7 CFR 246.7). How to apply for WIC. During pregnancy and for a year after, CDC asks you to get medical care right away for urgent warning signs such as a headache that won't go away, changes in vision, trouble breathing, chest pain, extreme swelling of the hands or face, or thoughts of harming yourself or your baby. See the full CDC list.

The number

Washington Apple Health covers pregnant people with income up to 215% of the poverty level, about $58,740 a year for a family of three in 2026.

Primary source: https://www.hca.wa.gov/assets/free-or-low-cost/income-standards-20260701.pdf

Apply for Washington Apple Health

What Medicaid covers during pregnancy in Washington

Washington Apple Health covers pregnant people up to 215% of the poverty level (about $58,740 a year for a family of three in 2026).

These limits include the 5% income disregard federal rules apply (42 CFR 435.603). The state makes the final decision based on your household and income.

Washington Medicaid covers people for 12 months after pregnancy ends (since April 2022). Washington Medicaid covers doula care, including support during labor and birth, since January 2025.

Being enrolled in Medicaid counts as meeting WIC's income test, so you do not need to prove your income again; WIC still checks for a nutrition need (7 CFR 246.7). How to apply for WIC.

During pregnancy and for a year after, CDC asks you to get medical care right away for urgent warning signs such as a headache that won't go away, changes in vision, trouble breathing, chest pain, extreme swelling of the hands or face, or thoughts of harming yourself or your baby. See the full CDC list.

For Black families

Apple Health has paid certified birth doulas since January 1, 2025 for one prenatal intake visit, continuous labor and delivery support, and up to 20 hours of other prenatal and postpartum visits. HCA's fee schedule allows $750 for the intake visit, a flat $750 for labor and delivery support, and $25 per 15-minute unit for other visits, which comes to a maximum of $3,500 per pregnancy by our arithmetic.

Where to get help in Washington

The application line Washington Apple Health lists on its own pages: 1-855-923-4633.
Community health centers in Washington: /clinics/wa/. Federally funded community health centers discount their fees by income, with a full discount at or below the poverty line (42 CFR 51c.303(f)).
Health profile for Black residents of Washington: /health/washington/.

References & primary sources

Data refreshed: October 26, 2026

Free cancer screening in Washington

Free pap smears (NBCCEDP) Free mammograms (NBCCEDP)

WIC for pregnant women in Washington

Anyone enrolled in Washington Medicaid is automatically income-eligible for WIC under federal adjunctive eligibility (7 CFR 246.7). WIC adds a monthly food package, breastfeeding peer counseling, and a Cash-Value Benefit for fruits and vegetables on top of Medicaid coverage.

WIC in Washington SNAP in Washington

Prenatal HIV testing in Washington

The CDC recommends HIV testing at the first prenatal visit and a second test in the third trimester for anyone at elevated risk. Testing is free and confidential through Medicaid and every Ryan White-funded clinic. If you test positive during pregnancy, same-day antiretroviral treatment reduces the chance of passing HIV to your baby to less than 1%.

HIV testing sites in Washington Washington ADAP (medication coverage)

More Washington Medicaid facets

Eligibility How to apply Doula coverage Postpartum extension Renewal

Back to Washington Medicaid overview

If you have Medicaid, the coverage on this page is the route to use first: it costs you nothing and it is what these programs exist for. If you are not covered yet, there is still a free option. Our directory of free and charitable clinics lists centers by state. The option below is self-pay and is not billed to Medicaid. It is here for readers who are between coverage or who prefer to pay out of pocket: