STATE PROFILE • Last updated: November 11, 2026
Maryland Elder Care & Medicaid
Maryland's senior Medicaid landscape offers a Community Options Waiver with a substantial waitlist, while the Community First Choice program provides immediate in-home support as an entitlement.
leaderboard
RANKED #6
GRADE A
FEATURED
Medicaid Coverage Guide for Maryland
Full breakdown of Community Options Waiver for seniors: waiver programs, nursing home eligibility, income and asset limits, spend-down rules, and how to apply.
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Program
Community Options Waiver
Income cap
No cap
Medically-needy
Yes
Elder Care Index Report Card
5-pillar composite scoring vs other states
A
Grade
AFFORDABILITY
GRADE B · 87
QUALITY
GRADE B · 63
STAFFING
GRADE B · 50
ACCESS
GRADE D · 28
MEDICAID SUPPORT
GRADE C · 28
Composite score: 73.2 / 100 (50 = average state)
Methodology arrow_forward
Maryland At a Glance
Nursing Home Facilities
221
Senior Medicaid Waivers
2
National Rank
#6 / 51
Range #5–#9 when the pillar weights shift
Senior Care Costs in Maryland
local_hospital
Nursing Home
$12,876/mo
+16.6% vs national avg
- 221 nursing homes · 27,373 beds
- Avg CMS rating 3.11★ (53 rated 5★, 35 rated 1★)
- 3.87 nurse hrs/resident/day (0.81 RN)
Source: CMS Nursing Home Compare
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home_health
Home Health Aide
$28/hr
+3.7% vs national avg
- Median aide wage $17.78/hr
- ~38,520 aides employed statewide
Source: BLS OEWS
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