STATE PROFILE • Last updated: November 11, 2026
Maine Elder Care & Medicaid
Maine's Medicaid, known as MaineCare, offers long-term care support for seniors through its Elderly and Adults with Disabilities Waiver, which requires a Nursing Home Level of Care and has a medically needy deductible for applicants over the income limit.
leaderboard
RANKED #41
GRADE F
FEATURED
Medicaid Coverage Guide for Maine
Full breakdown of MaineCare Section 19 for seniors: waiver programs, nursing home eligibility, income and asset limits, spend-down rules, and how to apply.
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Program
MaineCare Section 19
Income cap
$2,982/mo
Medically-needy
Yes
Elder Care Index Report Card
5-pillar composite scoring vs other states
F
Grade
AFFORDABILITY
GRADE F · 6
QUALITY
GRADE C · 55
STAFFING
GRADE B · 59
ACCESS
GRADE D · 24
MEDICAID SUPPORT
GRADE C · 38
Composite score: 29.6 / 100 (50 = average state)
Methodology arrow_forward
Maine At a Glance
Nursing Home Facilities
78
Senior Medicaid Waivers
1
National Rank
#41 / 51
Range #38–#45 when the pillar weights shift
Senior Care Costs in Maine
local_hospital
Nursing Home
$13,315/mo
+20.6% vs national avg
- 78 nursing homes · 5,828 beds
- Avg CMS rating 2.99★ (16 rated 5★, 13 rated 1★)
- 4.35 nurse hrs/resident/day (1.03 RN)
Source: CMS Nursing Home Compare
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home_health
Home Health Aide
$30/hr
+11.1% vs national avg
- Median aide wage $18.11/hr
- ~18,080 aides employed statewide
Source: BLS OEWS
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