Indiana Long-Term Care
Everything Your Family Needs in One Place.
Navigating long-term care in Indiana is complicated — Medicaid rules, care costs, and senior services all have their own language, and it's hard to know who to turn to or who you can trust. We've organized everything Indiana families need into one free guide — including connections to vetted providers who can help ease the burden.
Built around your situation and Indiana's specific programs and rules.
What Indiana families need to know before making care decisions.
Long-term care in Indiana blends affordability with some of the most innovative care programs in the Midwest. The state's Pathways for Aging managed care program launched in 2024, fundamentally changing how seniors access home and community-based services — including a Structured Family Caregiving option that pays family members to care for a loved one.
Indiana allows a unique $1,200 annual 'de minimis' transfer allowance during the Medicaid look-back period — a rare exception that most states don't offer. Understanding these Indiana-specific features can make a meaningful difference in your family's care plan.
We've organized every Indiana-specific resource, tool, and guide in one place so families can stop searching and start planning. Everything here is free.
$8,943/mo
Nursing Home — Semi-Private
$2,982/mo
Medicaid Income Limit
135+
Senior Service Resources
What long-term care actually costs in Indiana.
Indiana's long-term care costs are generally below national averages — nursing home care averages $8,943/month (7% below the national average), and assisted living averages $5,639/month (9% below). Indianapolis and surrounding metro areas tend to be higher than rural counties.
Understanding the full range of care types — from adult day care ($2,752/month) to private-room nursing homes — helps families plan realistically. Indiana's Pathways for Aging program can significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs for eligible seniors.
Use the calculator below to explore Indiana care costs in detail and project how they'll grow over time with a 3% annual inflation rate.
$10,326/mo
$8,943/mo
$5,639/mo
$7,000/mo
Estimated (AL × 1.25)
$6,673/mo
$35/hr (nat'l avg: $35/hr)
$2,752/mo
Source: CareScout 2025 Cost of Care Survey (updated March 2026)
Calculate Your Indiana Costs
State-specific data · Inflation projection · Total estimate
Use the sliders below to adjust years, inflation, and projection period
Not sure how long you'll need care? Get full insights into when you may need care, what kind, and for how long — personalized to your health and finances.
Start Your Full Care Planning Assessment →Your Cost Estimate
Today's Monthly Cost
$10,326/mo
NH Private Room · Indiana
Monthly Cost Today
$10,326/mo
3% inflation · 3 years of care
Don't rush to sell the home
Bridge loans, HELOCs, and reverse mortgages can fund care without selling.
Care costs rise 3–5% annually
Factor long-term inflation into all planning models.
Medicaid lookback is 5 years
Planning must begin well before care is needed to protect assets.
Source: CareScout 2025 Cost of Care Survey (updated March 2026)
* AK NH Private Room: A Place For Mom. ADC — DE: Genworth; DC: PayingForSeniorCare; ID: MedicaidLongTermCare.org; SD: Genworth; VT: VT Adult Services Div.; WV: CareCostIndex.com.
Understanding costs is the first step. Next, let's explore how Indiana Medicaid can help cover them — and what financial planning options are available.
Understanding Indiana Medicaid long-term care coverage — and whether your family qualifies.
Indiana Medicaid is administered by the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA). The state uses Qualified Income Trusts (Miller Trusts) for applicants whose income exceeds the $2,982/month limit, and offers a $52/month Personal Needs Allowance for nursing home residents.
Indiana's Pathways for Aging program (launched 7/1/24) serves residents aged 60+ through managed care, offering nursing facility care or HCBS including assisted living and adult foster care. The state's Structured Family Caregiving (SFC) benefit uniquely allows a spouse or adult child to be paid as a caregiver. Indiana also allows a $1,200 annual 'de minimis' transfer to family or nonprofits without violating the look-back period.
Use the Medicaid tool below to check eligibility, understand Indiana's specific rules, and explore planning strategies.
Income Limit — Single
$2,982 / month*
Income Limit — Married (one applying)
$2,982 / month for applicant*
Asset Limit — Single
$2,000
Asset Limit — Married (one applying)
$2,000 for applicant & $162,660 for non-applicant
Look-Back Period
60 months (5 years)
Estate Recovery
Yes — Indiana seeks reimbursement after death
Medicaid programs available in Indiana
Pathways for Aging
Implemented 7/1/24, this managed care program serves state residents aged 60+. Persons requiring a Nursing Facility Level of Care can receive nursing facility care or Home and Community Based Services at home, assisted living, or adult foster care. Benefits may include assistance with daily living, meal delivery, adult day care, home modifications, personal emergency response systems, and respite care. Beneficiaries can choose care providers and may hire family for personal care assistance.
Indiana Structured Family Caregiving (SFC)
A unique benefit via Pathways for Aging and PACE that allows an aging parent to move into the home of their adult child (or vice versa) and the state compensates the adult child to serve as their parent's caregiver. Other relatives can also become the paid caregiver. Through Pathways, a spouse or legal guardian can also be paid through SFC.
Health & Wellness (H&W) Waiver
Formerly the Aged and Disabled (A&D) Waiver, the H&W Waiver provides Home and Community Based Services for persons aged 59 and younger. Program beneficiaries aged 60+ were transitioned to Pathways for Aging on 7/1/24.
Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)
The benefits of Medicaid, including long-term care services, and Medicare are combined into one program. Additional benefits, such as dental and eye care, may be available.
Money Follows the Person (MFP)
A federal program that helps institutionalized Medicaid-eligible persons transition back home or into the community.
Long-term care Medicaid guide
Eligibility · Caregiver pay · How to apply · 2026 data
Important: Rates vary — contact your state Medicaid office for current figures. This tool provides general guidance, not legal or financial advice.
Compare Medicaid Programs — Indiana
How the main LTC programs available in Indiana compare side by side.
| Program | Pay | Pay type | Tax-free? | Spouse OK? | Waitlist? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer-directed HCBS | ~$16/hr | Hourly wage | No | Yes | Often |
| Structured Family Caregiving (SFC) | ~$40/day | Daily stipend | Yes | Yes | Often |
| Personal Care Agreement | Market rate (from assets) | Private pay | No | Yes | No |
| VA Aid & Attendance | Up to $2,874/mo | Monthly pension | Yes | Yes | No |
Indiana Medicaid programs
A&D Waiver
Structured Family Caregiving
Attendant Care Program (ACP)
Sources: KFF (Jan 2026), medicaidplanningassistance.org (Feb 2026). Programs and rates change — verify with your state Medicaid office.
How Family Caregivers Get Paid Through Medicaid in Indiana
If you're a family member providing care, you may be able to get paid through Medicaid — often at rates comparable to a home care agency.
Structured Family Caregiving (SFC) — tax-free daily stipend
Available in IndianaHow to enroll: Contact Careforth (careforth.com) or FreedomCare (freedomcare.com) — both operate in Indiana and handle enrollment at no charge.
Consumer-directed care — hourly pay
Available in IndianaHow it works: The person receiving care becomes the "employer" — they hire you and a fiscal intermediary handles payroll, taxes, and paperwork on their behalf. You receive a paycheck just like a regular job.
How to apply: FSSA · in.gov/medicaid · Careforth or Paid.Care for SFC
Personal Care Agreement — private pay from assets
Available to any familySources: KFF Medicaid Home Care Survey 2025 (Jan 2026), Careforth FAQ (Jan 2026), IRS Notice 2014-7.
How to Apply for Medicaid Long-Term Care in Indiana
What to expect when applying for LTC Medicaid and getting family caregiver pay set up in Indiana. The process typically takes 45–90 days from application to first paycheck.
Apply in Indiana: FSSA · in.gov/medicaid · Careforth or Paid.Care for SFC
Medicaid Eligibility Screener — Indiana
Answer 7 quick questions — we'll check the financial and care requirements for Indiana and explain what each one means.
What is the marital status of the person who needs care?
Medicaid looks at only the applicant's income and assets — but being married triggers special protections that let the healthy spouse keep significantly more money.
Sources
- CMS Medicaid — eligibility, HCBS waivers, and long-term services medicaid.gov/medicaid/eligibility
- CMS Medicaid — Home & Community-Based Services (HCBS) medicaid.gov/medicaid/home-community-based-services
- Social Security Administration — SSI Federal Benefit Rate (2026 figures) ssa.gov/oact/cola/SSI.html
- CMS — Spousal Impoverishment standards (CSRA & MMMNA) medicaid.gov/medicaid/eligibility/spousal-impoverishment
- CMS — Estate Recovery and the 5-year lookback period medicaid.gov/medicaid/eligibility/estate-recovery
- IRS Notice 2014-7 — Tax treatment of Medicaid caregiver payments irs.gov/individuals/certain-medicaid-waiver-payments-may-be-excludable-from-income
Educational guidance only — not legal or financial advice. Your state Medicaid office determines actual eligibility.
Medicaid figures: 2026 federal/state guidelines
Beyond Medicaid, Indiana has a network of senior services and programs that can help your family. Let's explore what's available in your county.
Community services and aging programs available to Indiana seniors — most families never find all of them.
Indiana's 16 Area Agencies on Aging coordinate services across all 92 counties — home-delivered meals, transportation, caregiver respite, benefits counseling, and home safety modifications. The FSSA Division of Aging also operates an Aging & Disability Resource Center network.
Beyond AAAs, Indiana funds programs through the Older Americans Act including adult protective services, ombudsman advocacy for facility residents, senior center programming, and the CHOICE in-home services program for seniors not yet eligible for Medicaid. County availability varies.
Use the service finder below to discover which programs serve your Indiana county — or browse the full directory for statewide and local listings.
Home-Delivered Meals & Nutrition
Programs like Meals on Wheels and congregate dining at senior centers — available to Indiana seniors through local Area Agencies on Aging.
Transportation & Mobility
Non-emergency medical transport, volunteer driver programs, and reduced-fare transit for Indiana seniors who no longer drive.
Caregiver Support & Respite
Respite care, support groups, training, and the National Family Caregiver Support Program — helping Indiana caregivers avoid burnout.
Benefits Counseling & Legal Aid
Free SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) Medicare counseling, Medicaid application help, and legal assistance for elder law issues like guardianship and advance directives in Indiana.
Select your county
This helps us find your local Area Agency on Aging
Links verified June 2026 · Always call to confirm current availability
In addition to government programs, Indiana has a strong network of nonprofit organizations that can help — many offering free services most families never discover.
Nonprofit and community organizations helping Indiana families — free help most families never find.
Indiana has nonprofits serving seniors including CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions (central Indiana), Alzheimer's Association Greater Indiana Chapter, Indiana Legal Services, and community action agencies. Many offer free benefits counseling, caregiver training, and emergency assistance.
Regional nonprofits provide specialized services including SHIP counseling, elder abuse prevention, and respite care coordination. Your zip code determines which organizations serve your area.
Use the nonprofit finder below to search for organizations that match your family's specific needs.
Disease-Specific Support
Nonprofit organizations focused on Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, ALS, cancer, and other conditions that require long-term care. Indiana chapters offer helplines, support groups, respite programs, and education to help families navigate diagnosis and care planning.
Legal Aid for Seniors
Free legal assistance with Medicaid applications, advance directives, power of attorney, guardianship, and elder abuse cases through Indiana's legal aid societies.
Caregiver & Family Support
Nonprofit organizations providing caregiver training, respite coordination, support groups, and counseling for Indiana families — because caregivers need care too.
Community Action & Emergency Aid
Community action agencies and charitable organizations offering emergency financial assistance, utility help, food pantries, and crisis intervention for Indiana seniors.
Who needs help?
This helps us personalize your results
Don't hesitate to contact multiple organizations — many have overlapping services and can refer you to others. Every conversation gets you closer to the help your family needs.
Additional resources every Indiana family should know about.
Medicare, Veterans benefits, caregiver compensation programs, and financial planning tools are available to every Indiana family — and understanding them early can save thousands in long-term care costs.
Finding the right people to help your Indiana family.
When it matters most, nothing replaces someone who truly understands your family. Care Connections will match your Indiana family with vetted local professionals based on your zip code and your specific situation. No cold calls. No pressure. Just the right introduction at the right time.
Tell us what your family needs and we'll notify you the moment Care Connections is available in your Indiana county.
Helps us match you with professionals in your county
We'll notify you when Care Connections is available
No spam. Just a heads up when it's ready for your area.
You've seen what Indiana has to offer. Now see how it all fits your family's specific situation.
Every section above gives you one piece of your Indiana picture — what care costs near you, whether Medicaid might help, what senior services and nonprofits are available, and what other programs your family might qualify for.
But each piece only tells part of the story.
The free personalized care snapshot puts all the pieces together — your health situation, your financial picture, your timeline, and the Indiana-specific options available to your family. It takes about 8 questions and 1 minute.
Most families who complete the snapshot tell us it's the first time they've felt like they actually understood their situation. That's what it's designed to do.
Who needs help?
Tell us who you're planning care for.
The next questions will be about whoever you choose above — answer for them, not yourself (unless this is for you).
Everything your Indiana family needs — in one place.
Free tools, Indiana-specific resources, a personalized care snapshot, and connections to the right people. All organized for Indiana families. All completely free.
Built around your situation and Indiana's specific programs and rules.