STATE PROFILE • Last updated: November 11, 2026
Massachusetts Elder Care & Medicaid
Massachusetts' MassHealth offers long-term care support for seniors through institutional Medicaid, HCBS waivers, and a Medically Needy pathway, with eligibility rules and benefits varying by program.
leaderboard
RANKED #45
GRADE F
FEATURED
Medicaid Coverage Guide for Massachusetts
Full breakdown of MassHealth Senior Care Options for seniors: waiver programs, nursing home eligibility, income and asset limits, spend-down rules, and how to apply.
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Program
MassHealth Senior Care Options
Income cap
No cap
Medically-needy
Yes
Elder Care Index Report Card
5-pillar composite scoring vs other states
F
Grade
AFFORDABILITY
GRADE F · 16
QUALITY
GRADE D · 35
STAFFING
GRADE C · 42
ACCESS
GRADE A · 59
MEDICAID SUPPORT
GRADE C · 25
CMS rates this state's 2023 home-care spending data as unreliable, so that input is scored at the national average.
Composite score: 24.0 / 100 (50 = average state)
Methodology arrow_forward
Massachusetts At a Glance
Nursing Home Facilities
341
Senior Medicaid Waivers
3
National Rank
#45 / 51
Range #42–#47 when the pillar weights shift
Senior Care Costs in Massachusetts
local_hospital
Nursing Home
$14,881/mo
+34.8% vs national avg
- 341 nursing homes · 40,961 beds
- Avg CMS rating 2.99★ (74 rated 5★, 73 rated 1★)
- 3.86 nurse hrs/resident/day (0.65 RN)
Source: CMS Nursing Home Compare
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home_health
Home Health Aide
$33/hr
+22.2% vs national avg
- Median aide wage $19.00/hr
- ~108,090 aides employed statewide
Source: BLS OEWS
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