Medicaid for Senior Care in Louisiana
What Medicaid Actually Covers for Senior Care
Louisiana offers several programs to help seniors get the care they need, often allowing them to stay in their homes or communities rather than a nursing home. The Community Choices Waiver (CCW) is a big one, providing a range of services like personal assistance, home modifications, respite care for family caregivers, home-delivered meals, and even monitored in-home caregiving where a loved one can be paid to provide care. Another key program is the Adult Day Health Care (ADHC) Waiver, which offers daytime care in a community setting, including nursing services, medication management, meals, and social activities. While these waivers cover many services, remember they generally do not cover room and board in assisted living or adult foster care settings. The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) is another option, providing comprehensive medical and supportive services to help seniors live at home, but it is only available in specific areas like New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, and Alexandria. Louisiana also has Long Term-Personal Care Services (LT-PCS), a state plan benefit that helps with daily activities like bathing, dressing, and meal preparation, without a waitlist.
Do You Qualify?
For 2026, a single applicant for most long-term care Medicaid programs in Louisiana must have a monthly income under $2,982 and countable assets under $2,000. If your parent is married and only one spouse is applying, the non-applicant spouse can keep a significant portion of assets, up to $162,660 in 2026, known as the Community Spouse Resource Allowance. For income, Louisiana uses the "name on the check" rule, meaning the non-applicant spouse's income is not counted toward the applicant's eligibility.
If income is above the limit, Louisiana has a "Spend-Down" program (Medically Needy Program) that allows you to become income-eligible by using your "excess" income on medical expenses, including anticipated costs for waiver services. For assets, if your parent owns a home, it's typically exempt if they intend to return, or if a spouse, a child under 21, or a blind or disabled child lives there. There's also a home equity limit of $752,000 for waivers and nursing home Medicaid in 2026 if no qualifying individuals reside there. Pensions and retirement accounts like IRAs and 401Ks are generally counted as countable assets in Louisiana.
Waitlists & How to Apply
Some of Louisiana's waiver programs, like the Community Choices Waiver and the Adult Day Health Care Waiver, operate with a limited number of slots and may have waitlists, referred to as a Request for Services Registry. However, programs like Long Term-Personal Care Services (LT-PCS) and Nursing Home Medicaid are entitlements, meaning there is no waitlist if you meet the eligibility requirements. To apply for waiver services or inquire about the application process for long-term care, you should contact Louisiana Options in Long-Term Care at 1-877-456-1146. You can also mail a long-term care application to the Medicaid Application Office, 6069 I-49 Service Rd, Suite B, Opelousas, LA 70570, or fax it to 225-389-8019.
Last updated: March 2026. Sources: CMS, state Medicaid agency, Genworth 2024.