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    Medicaid Long-Term Care Guide

    Medicaid pays for long-term care for millions of Americans — but eligibility, income limits, and benefits vary dramatically by state. Learn how Medicaid works, see what your state may cover, and explore our eligibility checker to help you understand where Medicaid might fit into your long-term care planning.

    51 Unique Programs

    Every state plus Washington, D.C. runs its own Medicaid program with different eligibility rules, income limits, and covered services.

    More Families Qualify Than You Think

    Middle-class families routinely use Medicaid planning to protect assets. Spouse protections can shield over $160,000 in many states.

    State-Specific Limits

    Income limits range from $1,304/mo (Illinois HCBS waiver) to $2,982/mo (most states — nursing home Medicaid). Asset limits vary from $1,600 (Connecticut) to $130,000 (California).

    5-Year Lookback

    Medicaid reviews 60 months of financial history before your application date. Gifts or transfers can trigger penalty periods.

    Spouse Protections

    The Community Spouse Resource Allowance lets the healthy spouse keep up to $162,660 in assets — but some states set lower limits.

    Home & Community-Based

    HCBS waivers let you receive care at home instead of a nursing facility — and many programs pay family members as caregivers.

    Check Your Medicaid Eligibility by State

    Not sure if you qualify? Select your state below to see income limits, asset limits, and eligibility requirements specific to where you live — plus caregiver compensation programs, step-by-step application guidance, and an interactive eligibility screener.

    Long-term care Medicaid guide

    Eligibility · Caregiver pay · How to apply · 2026 data

    Choose your state to get started

    Select your state from the dropdown above to see income limits, asset limits, caregiver pay programs, and step-by-step application guidance.

    Compare Medicaid Programs by State

    Every state runs its own Medicaid program with unique eligibility rules, income limits, and long-term care benefits. Select your state below to see how Medicaid works where you live — including nursing home coverage, in-home care benefits, caregiver compensation programs, and step-by-step application guidance.

    ALAlabamaAKAlaskaAZArizonaARArkansasCACaliforniaCOColoradoCTConnecticutDEDelawareFLFloridaGAGeorgiaHIHawaiiIDIdahoILIllinoisINIndianaIAIowaKSKansasKYKentuckyLALouisianaMEMaineMDMarylandMAMassachusettsMIMichiganMNMinnesotaMSMississippiMOMissouriMTMontanaNENebraskaNVNevadaNHNew HampshireNJNew JerseyNMNew MexicoNYNew YorkNCNorth CarolinaNDNorth DakotaOHOhioOKOklahomaOROregonPAPennsylvaniaRIRhode IslandSCSouth CarolinaSDSouth DakotaTNTennesseeTXTexasUTUtahVTVermontVAVirginiaWAWashingtonDCWashington D.C.WVWest VirginiaWIWisconsinWYWyoming

    For educational purposes only — your state Medicaid office determines actual eligibility.

    Frequently Asked Questions About Medicaid Long-Term Care

    Get answers to the most common questions about how Medicaid covers long-term care, eligibility requirements, costs, and the application process.

    Yes. Medicaid is the largest payer of long-term care in the United States. It can help cover services such as nursing home care, in-home caregiving, assisted living programs in some states, and other long-term care supports for people who meet financial and medical eligibility requirements.

    Medicaid may cover a wide range of long-term care services, including nursing home care, in-home caregiving services, home health care, adult day care programs, personal care assistance, and memory care services in certain settings. Coverage varies by state.

    Eligibility for Medicaid long-term care typically depends on income limits, asset limits, medical need for long-term care, and residency in the state where you apply. Applicants usually must demonstrate that they require help with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, eating, or mobility.

    Medicaid eligibility rules vary by state, but applicants generally must meet income and asset limits to qualify. Assets such as savings, investments, and certain property may be considered when determining eligibility. Some assets, like a primary residence under certain conditions, may be excluded.

    Yes. Medicaid can cover nursing home care for eligible individuals who require a high level of medical or personal care. Once approved, Medicaid may pay for most nursing home costs, including room, board, and medical services provided at the facility.

    Many states offer Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) programs that help people receive care at home instead of moving into a nursing facility. These programs may cover personal care aides, home health services, and other support services.

    In some states, Medicaid programs may help pay for assisted living services through special waiver programs or state long-term care initiatives. These programs typically cover personal care and supportive services rather than the full housing cost.

    Yes, many states offer self-directed Medicaid programs that allow individuals to choose their caregiver, including certain family members. These programs may allow adult children or other relatives to receive payment for providing caregiving services.

    Medicaid waiver programs, often called Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers, allow states to provide long-term care services outside of institutional settings like nursing homes. These programs help individuals receive care at home or in community settings while still receiving Medicaid support.

    The Medicaid lookback period is a review of financial transactions made before applying for Medicaid long-term care benefits. Most states use a five-year lookback period to ensure applicants did not transfer assets solely to qualify for Medicaid assistance.

    Yes, in many cases a primary residence may be exempt when determining Medicaid eligibility, especially if a spouse or dependent relative continues living in the home. However, rules vary by state and by individual circumstances.

    Yes. Medicaid has special protections for spouses when one spouse requires long-term care and the other continues living at home. These rules allow the healthy spouse to retain certain income and assets while the other spouse receives Medicaid-funded care.

    Applying for Medicaid long-term care typically involves submitting a Medicaid application through the state agency, providing financial documentation such as income and assets, completing a medical or care needs assessment, and verifying residency and eligibility requirements. The process can vary by state and may require assistance from care coordinators or eligibility specialists.

    The approval process can take several weeks to several months, depending on the state, the complexity of the financial review, and the documentation provided. Completing applications accurately and providing full documentation can help avoid delays.

    Yes. Some individuals qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid, often referred to as dual eligibility. In these cases, Medicare typically covers medical services while Medicaid may help pay for long-term care services and other costs not covered by Medicare.

    After a Medicaid recipient passes away, states are required by federal law to seek reimbursement from the deceased person's estate for Medicaid benefits that were paid on their behalf. The primary home is often the largest recoverable asset. Legal strategies exist to protect the home, including transferring ownership to a spouse (automatic exemption), the caretaker child exception (an adult child who lived in the home for at least two years providing care), life estate deeds, and irrevocable trusts. These strategies must be implemented well before applying for Medicaid. Consult an elder law attorney for guidance.

    A Miller Trust, also called a Qualified Income Trust (QIT), is used in states that have an income cap for Medicaid eligibility. If a person's income exceeds the Medicaid limit, they can deposit the excess income into a Miller Trust to qualify. The trust is irrevocable, managed by a trustee, and the funds can only be used for specific medical and care expenses. After the Medicaid recipient passes away, any remaining funds in the trust must be paid to the state to reimburse Medicaid costs.

    The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) is available in 33 states and the District of Columbia for people aged 55 and older who qualify for a nursing home level of care but want to continue living at home. PACE provides comprehensive, coordinated care including medical visits, prescriptions, physical and occupational therapy, transportation to appointments, personal care assistance, and adult day services — all under one plan. Most PACE participants are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid and pay nothing out of pocket. Visit npaonline.org to find a PACE site near you.

    See how Medicaid fits into your family's care plan.

    Your free care plan connects your Medicaid eligibility to your assets, income, and care timeline — so you know exactly where you stand and what to do next.

    See how Medicaid fits into your care plan →

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    Last updated April 30, 2026