Maine Medicaid & Elder Care
Maine's Medicaid, known as MaineCare, offers long-term care support for seniors through its Elderly and Adults with Disabilities Waiver, which operates with an income cap and requires a Nursing Home Level of Care.
Medicaid Report Card
Overall State Performance Index
Based on CMS Nursing Home Compare + state Medicaid agency data
View Methodology arrow_forwardMaine Monthly Costs
Maine's assisted living costs are approximately 1% lower than the national average.
Waiver Programs
Home and Community Benefits for the Elderly and Adults with Disabilities
Also called: Home and Community Benefits (HCB) Waiver for the Elderly and Adults with Disabilities, Section 19 Waiver
This statewide Medicaid program assists seniors and adults with disabilities who require a nursing home level of care to remain in their homes or communities. It provides a range of services designed to prevent premature institutionalization.
- check_circle Care Coordination
- check_circle Personal Care Assistance
- check_circle Respite Care
- check_circle Financial Management Services
- check_circle Skills Training
- check_circle Assistive Technology
- check_circle Attendant Care Services
- check_circle Environmental Modifications
- check_circle Home Delivered Meals
- check_circle Home Health Services
- check_circle Living Well for Better Health (Chronic Disease Self-Management)
- check_circle Matter of Balance (Falls Prevention)
- check_circle Non-Medical Transportation
- check_circle Personal Emergency Response Systems
insights Program Snapshot
- Functional criterion
- Nursing Home Level of Care (NHLOC)
- Administered by
- Maine DHHS Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS)
- Self-direction
- Yes, participants can hire and manage personal care attendants (excluding spouses).
- Enrollment
- Maximum of approximately 4,126 beneficiaries per year.
2026 Eligibility Requirements
| Criteria | Individual Limit | Married (Both Applying) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Income | $2,982 | $5,964 |
| Asset Limit | $10,000 | $15,000 |
| Home Equity Limit | $1,130,000 | |
| Level of Care | Nursing Home Level of Care (NHLOC) | |
Estate Recovery Warning
Maine's Estate Recovery Program is aggressive, seeking reimbursement for long-term care costs incurred after age 55 from the deceased's estate, which broadly includes the home. However, specific exemptions exist for surviving spouses and disabled or minor children.
Spend-Down & Asset Protection
PROTECTED ASSETS
COMMON PITFALLS
- warning Look-back Period: Gifts or asset transfers made within 60 months of application for less than fair market value trigger penalties.
- warning Excess Income: Failing to establish a Miller Trust (Qualified Income Trust) if monthly income exceeds the Medicaid cap.
- warning Joint Accounts: All assets of a married couple are considered jointly owned for Medicaid eligibility.
First Steps for Families
Locate your ADRC
Contact your local Maine Aging and Disability Resource Center.
Gather 5 years of records
Bank statements, deeds, asset transfers for the Medicaid look-back period.
Financial assessment
Consult a Medicaid planner if assets exceed $10,000.
Resource Contact
State of Maine Department of Health and Human Services
How to Apply for Maine Long-Term Care Medicaid
Assess Level of Care
Obtain medical certification confirming the need for a Nursing Home Level of Care.
Gather Financial Records
Collect 60 months of financial statements and other asset/income verification documents.
Establish Miller Trust (if applicable)
If monthly income exceeds the Medicaid cap, a Miller Trust (Qualified Income Trust) is required.
Submit Application
Apply online via My Maine Connection, by mail to the Office for Family Independence, via fax, or in person at a DHHS district office.
Attend Interviews
Participate in required caseworker evaluations and provide any additional requested documentation.
Receive Determination
Await the eligibility decision and, if approved, benefit activation.
Documents You'll Need
Financial Verification
- 5 years of bank statements
- Stock/bond certificates
- Retirement account information
- Proof of all assets
Income Verification
- Social Security award letters
- Pension stubs
- VA benefit statements
- Other income sources
Medical/Identity
- Social Security card
- Medicare card
- Doctor's clinical assessments
- Proof of age and U.S. citizenship/qualified alien status
Property/Residency
- Home deed
- Vehicle registration
- Proof of Maine residency
Frequently Asked Questions About Maine Medicaid
Does Maine Medicaid pay for assisted living?
Yes, MaineCare's Residential/Assisted Living program covers assisted living services for eligible seniors who meet medical and financial requirements. While MaineCare covers the cost of services, the state limits the cost of room and board for low-income individuals in approved facilities.
What is the Maine Medicaid income limit for seniors in 2026?
For Nursing Home Medicaid and Home and Community Benefits (HCBS) Waivers, the individual income limit for seniors in Maine in 2026 is $2,982 per month. For married couples where both are applying, the combined income limit is $5,964 per month. If income exceeds this cap, a Miller Trust may be required.
How long is the HCBS waiver waitlist in Maine?
Maine's Home and Community Benefits for the Elderly and Adults with Disabilities Waiver is not an entitlement program and has limited enrollment slots. While a specific waitlist count or average wait time is not published, a waiting list can form when slots are full, with access determined by application date and need.
Will Medicaid take my parent's house in Maine?
MaineCare will not take your parent's house while they are alive. However, after the Medicaid recipient's death, Maine's Estate Recovery Program may seek reimbursement for long-term care costs from the estate, which can include the home. Exemptions exist if a surviving spouse, a child under 21, or a disabled child of any age resides in the home.
Can I be paid to care for my parent through Maine Medicaid?
Yes, Maine's Elderly and Adults with Disabilities Waiver offers a participant-directed option that allows individuals to hire and manage their own personal care attendants. While friends and adult children can be hired, spouses are excluded from being paid caregivers through this program.
Medicaid vs Medicare for long-term care in Maine?
Medicare primarily covers short-term, skilled nursing care or rehabilitation, not ongoing long-term care in Maine. MaineCare (Medicaid), on the other hand, is the primary payer for long-term care services for eligible low-income seniors, covering nursing home care and home and community-based services through programs like the Elderly and Adults with Disabilities Waiver.
TOPICAL GUIDES — HOW MEDICAID WORKS
EXPLORE MAINE
Last updated: April 24, 2026. Sources: State of Maine Department of Health and Human Services, CMS Nursing Home Compare, Genworth 2024 Cost of Care Survey. Eligibility rules are set by each state Medicaid agency and update annually. We cite the agency name, statute, or CMS data source for every figure on this page; see our methodology and editor.