Minnesota Long-Term Care
Everything Your Family Needs in One Place.
Navigating long-term care in Minnesota 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 Minnesota families need into one free guide — including connections to vetted providers who can help ease the burden.
Built around your situation and Minnesota's specific programs and rules.
What Minnesota families need to know before making care decisions.
Long-term care in Minnesota ranks among the most expensive in the Midwest — nursing home care averages $10,646/month and home care costs $8,389/month (26% above the national rate). However, Minnesota also has some of the most robust home and community-based services programs in the country.
Minnesota counts VA Aid & Attendance as income for Medicaid — unlike most states — and has a $3,000/$6,000 asset limit. But the state's Elderly Waiver, Personal Care Assistance (PCA), and Consumer Directed Community Supports (CDCS) programs offer exceptional flexibility, including hiring a spouse or adult child as a paid caregiver.
We've organized every Minnesota-specific resource, tool, and guide in one place so families can stop searching and start planning. Everything here is free.
$10,646/mo
Nursing Home — Semi-Private
$1,305/mo
Medicaid Income Limit
135+
Senior Service Resources
What long-term care actually costs in Minnesota.
Minnesota's care costs are above national averages across most categories — nursing home care averages $10,646/month (11% above the national average), home care averages $8,389/month (26% above), and assisted living averages $6,573/month (6% above). Minneapolis-St. Paul metro costs tend to be the highest.
Understanding care types — from adult day care ($2,600/month, the most affordable) to private-room nursing homes — helps families plan realistically. Minnesota's HCBS programs can significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs for eligible seniors.
Use the calculator below to explore Minnesota care costs in detail and project how they'll grow over time with a 3% annual inflation rate.
$13,870/mo
$10,646/mo
$6,573/mo
$8,200/mo
Estimated (AL × 1.25)
$8,389/mo
$44/hr (nat'l avg: $35/hr)
$2,600/mo
Source: CareScout 2025 Cost of Care Survey (updated March 2026)
Calculate Your Minnesota 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
$13,870/mo
NH Private Room · Minnesota
Monthly Cost Today
$13,870/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 Minnesota Medicaid can help cover them — and what financial planning options are available.
Understanding Minnesota Medicaid long-term care coverage — and whether your family qualifies.
Minnesota Medicaid (Medical Assistance) is administered by the Department of Human Services. The income limit for Nursing Home Medicaid is $1,305/month with a Medically Needy spenddown pathway — no Miller Trusts are used. Minnesota counts VA Aid & Attendance as income, unlike most states.
Minnesota's Elderly Waiver (EW) allows seniors to receive care at home, in adult foster care, or assisted living with Consumer Directed Community Supports (CDCS) enabling self-directed care. Via CDCS, participants can hire their own caregivers — including adult children or spouses. The PCA program is transitioning to Community First Services and Supports (CFSS) as of 10/1/24, expanding care direction options.
Use the Medicaid tool below to check eligibility, understand Minnesota's specific rules, and explore planning strategies.
Income Limit — Single
$1,305 / month (eff. 7/1/25 – 6/30/26)*
Income Limit — Married (one applying)
$1,305 / month for applicant (eff. 7/1/25 – 6/30/26)*
Asset Limit — Single
$3,000
Asset Limit — Married (one applying)
$3,000 for applicant & $162,660 for non-applicant
Look-Back Period
60 months (5 years)
Estate Recovery
Yes — Minnesota seeks reimbursement after death
Medicaid programs available in Minnesota
Elderly Waiver (EW)
Allows MN seniors to receive long-term care services in their own home, adult foster care, or assisted living. Participants can self-direct care via Consumer Directed Community Supports (CDCS) or go through a provider agency. Via CDCS, one can hire their own caregiver, including adult children or spouses.
Personal Care Assistance (PCA) / Community First Services and Supports (CFSS)
PCA began transitioning into CFSS on 10/01/24, with approximately a year-long transition period. Both programs provide assistance with daily living activities (bathing, dressing, mobility, cooking, shopping). Participants can hire and manage their own personal care assistants, including family members.
Managed Care: MSC+ & MSHO
Managed care programs for seniors providing Regular Medicaid services (doctor visits, acute care) and long-term care services (in-home personal care assistance). MSHO enrollees can receive both Medicaid and Medicare services through one plan.
Money Follows the Person (Moving Home Minnesota)
A federal program that helps institutionalized Medicaid-eligible persons transition back home or into the community. Known in Minnesota as Moving Home Minnesota.
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 — Minnesota
How the main LTC programs available in Minnesota compare side by side.
| Program | Pay | Pay type | Tax-free? | Spouse OK? | Waitlist? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer-directed HCBS | $17–20/hr | Hourly wage | No | Usually no | Often |
| Structured Family Caregiving (SFC) | Not in Minnesota | Daily stipend | Yes | Usually no | 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 |
Minnesota Medicaid programs
HCBS Waiver
Elderly Waiver (EW)
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 Minnesota
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.
Consumer-directed care — hourly pay
Available in MinnesotaHow 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: DHS · mn.gov/dhs
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 Minnesota
What to expect when applying for LTC Medicaid and getting family caregiver pay set up in Minnesota. The process typically takes 45–90 days from application to first paycheck.
Apply in Minnesota: DHS · mn.gov/dhs
Medicaid Eligibility Screener — Minnesota
Answer 7 quick questions — we'll check the financial and care requirements for Minnesota 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, Minnesota 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 Minnesota seniors — most families never find all of them.
Minnesota's 7 Area Agencies on Aging coordinate services across all 87 counties — home-delivered meals, transportation, caregiver respite, benefits counseling, and home modifications. The Senior LinkAge Line (1-800-333-2433) serves as a one-stop resource for seniors and caregivers.
Minnesota funds robust programs including the Alternative Care program (for people not yet Medicaid-eligible), adult protective services, ombudsman advocacy, and MinnesotaHelp.info — a searchable database of community services.
Use the service finder below to discover which programs serve your Minnesota 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 Minnesota seniors through local Area Agencies on Aging.
Transportation & Mobility
Non-emergency medical transport, volunteer driver programs, and reduced-fare transit for Minnesota seniors who no longer drive.
Caregiver Support & Respite
Respite care, support groups, training, and the National Family Caregiver Support Program — helping Minnesota 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 Minnesota.
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, Minnesota has a strong network of nonprofit organizations that can help — many offering free services most families never discover.
Nonprofit and community organizations helping Minnesota families — free help most families never find.
Minnesota has nonprofits serving seniors including the Alzheimer's Association Minnesota-North Dakota Chapter, Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid, Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, and community action agencies across the state.
Many Minnesota nonprofits offer free services including benefits counseling through the Senior LinkAge Line, caregiver training, support groups, and emergency assistance. 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. Minnesota 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 Minnesota's legal aid societies.
Caregiver & Family Support
Nonprofit organizations providing caregiver training, respite coordination, support groups, and counseling for Minnesota 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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota family should know about.
Medicare, Veterans benefits, caregiver compensation programs, and financial planning tools are available to every Minnesota family — and understanding them early can save thousands in long-term care costs.
Finding the right people to help your Minnesota family.
When it matters most, nothing replaces someone who truly understands your family. Care Connections will match your Minnesota 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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota has to offer. Now see how it all fits your family's specific situation.
Every section above gives you one piece of your Minnesota 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 Minnesota-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 Minnesota family needs — in one place.
Free tools, Minnesota-specific resources, a personalized care snapshot, and connections to the right people. All organized for Minnesota families. All completely free.
Built around your situation and Minnesota's specific programs and rules.
Long-term care resources for neighboring states
Last updated: March 2026