Long-Term Care Planning in Georgia: Costs, Medicaid & Your Options (2026 Guide)

Georgia's long-term care costs are generally below national averages — assisted living averages $5,300 per month, approximately 15% below the national average, while nursing home care averages $8,821 per month (semi-private), roughly 8% below the national average of $9,581. Home care averages $6,101 per month, about 9% below the national rate. Georgia Medicaid is administered by the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH). The income limit for Nursing Home Medicaid and HCBS is $2,982 per month. Georgia allows both Qualified Income Trusts (Miller Trusts) and a Medically Needy/Spenddown pathway for applicants over the income limit. Georgia sets its MMMNA at the federal maximum of $4,066.50/month — the highest possible spousal income protection. The Community Care Services Program (CCSP) allows participants to hire an adult child as a paid caregiver through consumer-directed services — spouses are excluded. Georgia did not expand Medicaid under the ACA. This guide covers what care costs in Georgia, how to qualify for Medicaid, and what options exist for veterans and family caregivers in Atlanta, Savannah, Augusta, and across the Peach State.

Georgia's Aging Population: The Numbers Behind the Need

Georgia has approximately 1.6 million residents aged 65 or older — roughly 15% of the state's total population of 10.9 million. As the eighth-most populous state, Georgia's senior population is large and growing rapidly. The senior population is concentrated in the Atlanta metro area (Fulton, DeKalb, Gwinnett, Cobb, and Cherokee counties), Savannah (Chatham County), Augusta (Richmond County), Macon (Bibb County), and Columbus (Muscogee County).

Georgia's geography spans from the Appalachian Mountains in the north to the coastal plains in the south, creating varied access to long-term care services. Rural counties in south Georgia face particular challenges with limited care facilities and provider shortages. The state's Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) network, operated through 12 regions, helps connect seniors across this diverse landscape to available services.

Unpaid Caregivers in Georgia: Scale and Impact

An estimated 1.4 million unpaid family caregivers in Georgia provide care to aging relatives and adults with disabilities. According to AARP research, family caregivers nationwide spend an average of $7,242 per year in out-of-pocket costs related to caregiving.

Georgia's Community Care Services Program (CCSP) offers a critical lifeline for family caregivers. Through its consumer-directed personal care services option, program participants can choose their own caregiver, including an adult child. However, unlike some states, spouses are excluded from serving as paid caregivers under the CCSP. This is particularly valuable for families managing care in Georgia's rural communities where professional home care providers may be scarce.

What Long-Term Care Costs in Georgia

Georgia's care costs vary by type of care:

• Assisted Living: $5,300 per month — approximately 15% below the national average of $6,200
• Nursing Home (semi-private room): $8,821 per month — approximately 8% below the national average of $9,581
• Home Care (home health aide): $6,101 per month — approximately 9% below the national average of $6,673
• Adult Day Care: $1,950 per month — approximately 5% below the national average of $2,058

At these rates, a three-year nursing home stay in Georgia costs approximately $317,556 — while home care totals roughly $219,636 over the same period. Assisted living, at $5,300/month, represents approximately $190,800 over three years — making it a significantly more affordable option. Georgia's below-average costs across all care types make it one of the more affordable states for long-term care. For a detailed breakdown of care costs by type and how Georgia compares to other states, visit our Georgia Care Costs page.

How to Qualify for Medicaid in Georgia: Eligibility Rules for 2026

Georgia Medicaid is administered by the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH). In addition to nursing home care, Georgia Medicaid pays for services and supports to help the elderly remain living at home or in a personal care home / assisted living facility. Georgia did not expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. Persons eligible for SSI are automatically approved for Regular Medicaid, including long-term services and supports. Consulting with a Georgia elder law attorney or Certified Medicaid Planner early can help families avoid costly mistakes. Eligibility rules vary by program type:

• Nursing Home Medicaid (Institutional): Income limit of $2,982/month. All of a beneficiary's monthly income, with the exception of a $70/month Personal Needs Allowance, Medicare premiums, and possibly a Needs Allowance for a non-applicant spouse, must be paid to the nursing home (Patient Liability). Asset limit of $2,000 (single) or $3,000 (married couple, both applying). When only one spouse applies, the non-applicant spouse may retain up to $162,660 in assets. This is an entitlement.
• Medicaid Waivers / HCBS (CCSP & SOURCE): Income limit of $2,982/month. Asset limit of $2,000 (single). Requires Nursing Home Level of Care. CSRA of up to $162,660 applies. These are not entitlements — enrollment is limited and waiting lists exist.
• Regular Medicaid / Aged, Blind and Disabled (ABD): Income limit of $994/month (single) or $1,491/month (couple); asset limit of $2,000 (single) or $3,000 (couple). This is an entitlement.

Georgia applies a 60-month (5-year) look-back period for Nursing Home Medicaid and HCBS Waiver applications. Asset transfers during this period — including transfers by a non-applicant spouse — can trigger a penalty period of Medicaid ineligibility. The federal $19,000 Gift Tax exclusion (2026) does NOT apply to Medicaid's look-back rules. There is no look-back period for Regular Medicaid. For the full Georgia Medicaid eligibility breakdown, see our Georgia Medicaid Guide.

Spousal Protections and Community Spouse Resource Allowance

When one spouse applies for Nursing Home Medicaid or HCBS in Georgia, only the applicant spouse's income is counted. The Community Spouse Resource Allowance (CSRA) allows the non-applicant spouse to retain up to $162,660 in countable assets.

Georgia sets its MMMNA at the federal maximum of $4,066.50 per month — the highest possible spousal income protection in the nation. If the non-applicant spouse's income falls below this amount, income can be transferred from the applicant spouse. Since Georgia already uses the maximum, there is no additional increase available through excess shelter costs. For Regular Medicaid, both spouses' income is counted and there is no MMMNA or CSRA.

Georgia Medicaid Programs: CCSP, SOURCE, MFP & PACE

Georgia offers Medicaid-funded long-term care through its nursing home program and the following community-based programs:

• Community Care Services Program (CCSP): Georgia's primary HCBS waiver operating under the Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program (EDWP). Provides support at home, in assisted living (personal care home), and adult day care. Through consumer-directed personal care services, participants can choose their own caregiver, including an adult child — spouses are excluded. Waiting lists exist.
• Service Options Using Resources in a Community Environment (SOURCE) Waiver: Similar benefits to CCSP, also operating under the EDWP. To be eligible, an applicant must be eligible for SSI. Waiting lists exist.
• Money Follows the Person (MFP): A federal program that helps institutionalized persons eligible for Medicaid to transition back home or into the community.
• Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE): Georgia is in the process of implementing PACE, which combines Medicaid (including long-term care) and Medicare into one program with additional benefits such as dental and eye care.

Qualifying When Over the Limits: Miller Trust and Spenddown

Georgia offers multiple pathways for applicants who exceed the income or asset limits — including both Miller Trusts and a Medically Needy/Spenddown pathway:

• Qualified Income Trust (QIT) / Miller Trust: Applicants with income above $2,982/month can establish a Miller Trust to become income-eligible for Nursing Home Medicaid and HCBS Waivers. Excess income is deposited into an irrevocable trust. After death, remaining funds up to the amount the state paid for care must go to the state for reimbursement.
• Medically Needy Pathway (Spenddown): The Aged, Blind and Disabled Medically Needy Program allows seniors over the income limit to qualify for Regular Medicaid. The medically needy income limit (MNIL) is $317/month for a single individual and $375/month for a couple. The spend-down is calculated for a 6-month period. Medically needy asset limits are $2,000 (individual) and $4,000 (couple).
• Asset Spend-Down: Reduce countable assets by spending on exempt items — home modifications (wheelchair ramps, roll-in showers, stair lifts), home repair, vehicle modifications, irrevocable funeral trusts, and paying off debt. Keep documentation as proof the Look-Back Rule was not violated.
• Medicaid Planning: Work with a Certified Medicaid Planner or Georgia elder law attorney to employ legal strategies for eligibility and protect your home from Estate Recovery.

Asset Rules: What Counts and What Doesn't

Countable assets in Georgia include cash, stocks, bonds, investments, cryptocurrency, bank accounts, and real estate in which one does not reside. In Georgia, IRAs and 401(k)s of applicants are exempt if in "payout status" — meaning the Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) is being withdrawn. IRAs/401(k)s of non-applicant spouses are automatically exempt. Non-countable (exempt) assets include personal belongings, household furnishings, one automobile, irrevocable burial trusts (up to $10,000 in Georgia), and generally one's primary home.

All assets of a married couple are considered jointly owned regardless of which program one applies for. The CSRA allows the non-applicant spouse to retain up to $162,660. There is no CSRA for Regular Medicaid. Nationally, Holocaust restitution payments are not counted as income. In Georgia, VA Aid & Attendance (above Basic VA Pension) does NOT count as income for Medicaid eligibility purposes.

Veterans and Long-Term Care in Georgia

Georgia has approximately 650,000 veterans — the ninth-largest veteran population in the nation. Major military installations include Fort Eisenhower (formerly Fort Gordon) near Augusta, Fort Stewart near Savannah, Fort Moore (formerly Fort Benning) near Columbus, Robins Air Force Base near Macon, and Moody Air Force Base in Valdosta. The Atlanta VA Medical Center, Augusta VA Medical Center, and the Carl Vinson VA Medical Center in Dublin serve veterans across the state. Georgia operates two Georgia War Veterans Homes — in Augusta and Milledgeville.

The VA Aid & Attendance benefit provides additional monthly income to veterans and surviving spouses who require assistance with activities of daily living. In Georgia, VA Aid & Attendance does NOT count as income for Medicaid eligibility purposes, allowing veterans to potentially qualify for both benefits simultaneously. For a comprehensive overview of veteran long-term care benefits, see our Veterans Long-Term Care Guide.

Planning Ahead: How to Pay for Nursing Home Care in Georgia

Understanding how to pay for nursing home care in Georgia — or any long-term care setting — requires evaluating multiple funding sources. With nursing home costs at $8,821/month, a 60-month look-back period, and a $2,982/month income limit, advance planning is essential. Key steps include:

• Understanding your current financial position relative to Georgia Medicaid eligibility thresholds
• Knowing that Georgia offers both Miller Trusts (QITs) and a Medically Needy Spenddown pathway for over-income applicants
• Recognizing that IRAs/401(k)s are exempt if in payout status (RMDs being withdrawn) — a significant planning advantage
• Taking advantage of Georgia's maximum MMMNA of $4,066.50/month — the highest possible spousal income protection nationally
• Exploring the CCSP's ability to hire an adult child as a paid caregiver (spouses excluded)
• Considering assisted living ($5,300/month) as a significantly cheaper alternative to nursing home care ($8,821/month) — a savings of over $3,500/month
• Being aware that Georgia did NOT expand Medicaid — eligibility for adults under 65 is more restricted than in expansion states
• Exploring veterans benefits if the care recipient or spouse served during wartime — VA benefits do NOT count as income in Georgia
• Consulting with a Georgia elder law attorney or Certified Medicaid Planner to protect assets and avoid look-back penalties

Estate Recovery: Protecting Your Home in Georgia

Georgia operates a Medicaid Estate Recovery Program (MERP), which allows the state to seek reimbursement from a deceased Medicaid beneficiary's estate for long-term care costs. This can include the family home if proper protections are not in place. The primary home is automatically exempt if the applicant's spouse, child under 21, or permanently blind or disabled child (of any age) lives in it.

If no qualifying family member lives in the home, there is a home equity interest limit of $730,000 (in 2026). Home equity is the value of the home after subtracting outstanding debt. If qualifying family members don't live in the home, the applicant must demonstrate Intent to Return. There is no home equity interest limit for Regular Medicaid. The home is NOT exempt from estate recovery — without proper planning, the home will be used to reimburse Medicaid rather than going to family as inheritance. Families should consult a Georgia elder law attorney to explore legal protections.

Regional Cost Variations Across Georgia

Long-term care costs in Georgia vary significantly by region. The Atlanta metro area (Fulton, DeKalb, Gwinnett, Cobb counties) has the most facility options and highest costs, driven by the state's largest concentration of population and income. Savannah (Chatham County) offers moderate pricing as a growing coastal hub. Augusta (Richmond County) benefits from the VA Medical Center and military presence, with competitive pricing. Macon (Bibb County) and Columbus (Muscogee County) offer generally lower costs. Athens (Clarke County), home to the University of Georgia, has moderate options. Rural areas across south Georgia — particularly the "Black Belt" region — face significant provider shortages, with some counties having no local assisted living or nursing home facilities, requiring families to travel for care or rely on home-based services through the CCSP.

Application Timeline and Process

Georgia Medicaid applications can be submitted through several channels:

• Apply online at Georgia Gateway (gateway.ga.gov)
• Apply in-person at your county Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) office
• Call DFCS at 877-423-4746
• Contact your local Area Agency on Aging office for program information and application assistance

It is imperative that applicants are confident they meet all eligibility criteria before submitting a Medicaid application. For seniors who don't meet the requirements or are unsure, Medicaid Planning can play an instrumental role. Processing times vary but typically take 45–90 days. The application process may vary based on the program for which one is applying.

Federal Policy Update: One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA)

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) includes approximately $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts over 10 years. While Nursing Home Medicaid is largely protected from future funding reductions, Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) — including Georgia's CCSP and SOURCE waivers — are likely targets for cuts. Georgia did not expand Medicaid under the ACA, so the initial January 1, 2026 cuts (which eliminated a temporary financial incentive for expansion states) did not directly affect Georgia. However, future HCBS cuts could still impact the state. This law is still facing legal challenges. Families relying on or planning to use the CCSP or SOURCE waivers should monitor developments and consider applying early.

Last updated: September 2026. Data sources: Georgia Department of Community Health, Genworth/CareScout 2024 Cost of Care Survey. All Medicaid figures reflect 2026 eligibility thresholds. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice.