Medicaid Eligibility Screener
Find out if you or your loved one may qualify for Medicaid coverage of nursing home care. This free tool checks your situation against your state's current eligibility rules.
This screener provides a preliminary estimate only. It is not a guarantee of eligibility. For an official determination, contact your state Medicaid agency or consult an elder law attorney.
Where do you live?
Medicaid rules vary by state. Select your state to see state-specific eligibility criteria.
Understanding Medicaid Eligibility for Nursing Home Care
Medicaid is the primary payer for long-term nursing home care in the United States, covering approximately 62% of all nursing home residents. Unlike Medicare, which only covers short-term skilled nursing stays (typically up to 100 days), Medicaid can pay for long-term custodial care indefinitely.
Key Eligibility Factors
- Income limits: Most states set the income limit at 300% of the SSI federal benefit rate (approximately $2,829/month in 2024). States with Medically Needy programs allow applicants to "spend down" excess income on medical costs.
- Asset limits: The federal minimum is $2,000 for an individual, though some states set higher limits. Certain assets are exempt, including your primary home (up to an equity limit), one vehicle, personal belongings, and prepaid burial plans.
- Spousal protections: When one spouse enters a nursing home, the Community Spouse Resource Allowance (CSRA) allows the at-home spouse to keep a portion of the couple's combined assets (between $30,828 and $154,140 in 2024).
- Look-back period: Medicaid reviews 60 months (5 years) of financial records for any asset transfers made below fair market value. Transfers during this period may result in a penalty period of ineligibility.
State-by-State Variations
Medicaid eligibility rules vary significantly from state to state. Some states use income caps with Miller Trust provisions, while others have Medically Needy programs that allow spend-down. California, for instance, has a shorter 30-month look-back period and a higher asset limit of $130,000. New York uses the higher federal home equity limit of $1,071,000.
Our screener covers state-specific rules for the top 10 states by senior population: California, Florida, Texas, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, North Carolina, and New Jersey. For other states, we apply federal default rules and recommend checking with your state Medicaid agency for precise thresholds.