Minnesota Medicaid & Elder Care
Minnesota's Medical Assistance for seniors offers home and community-based services through the Elderly Waiver, allowing self-direction, with eligibility tied to nursing home level of care and specific financial limits.
Medicaid Report Card
Overall State Performance Index
Based on CMS Nursing Home Compare + state Medicaid agency data
View Methodology arrow_forwardMinnesota Monthly Costs
Minnesota's senior care costs, including assisted living and nursing homes, are generally higher than the national average.
Waiver Programs
Elderly Waiver (EW)
The Elderly Waiver provides Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) for Minnesota residents aged 65 and older who require a nursing home level of care but choose to live in the community. It aims to prevent or delay nursing home admissions by offering services in their own home, adult foster care, or assisted living.
- check_circle Adult Day Health Care
- check_circle Adult Foster Care Services
- check_circle Assisted Living Services
- check_circle Chore Services
- check_circle Companion Services
- check_circle Consumer Directed Community Supports
- check_circle Family Caregiver Support Services
- check_circle Home Delivered Meals
- check_circle Home Health Aides
- check_circle Homemaker Services
- check_circle Home Modifications
- check_circle Individual Community Living Supports
- check_circle Non-Medical Transportation
- check_circle Personal Care Assistance
- check_circle Personal Emergency Response Systems
- check_circle Respite Care
- check_circle Skilled Nursing Visits
- check_circle Specialized Equipment / Supplies
- check_circle Transitional Services
- check_circle Vehicle Modifications
insights Program Snapshot
- Functional criterion
- Nursing Facility Level of Care (NFLOC)
- Administered by
- Minnesota Department of Human Services
- Self-direction
- Yes, via Consumer Directed Community Supports (CDCS), including hiring adult children or spouses.
2026 Eligibility Requirements
| Criteria | Individual Limit | Married (Both Applying) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Income | $2,982 | $5,964 |
| Asset Limit | $3,000 | $6,000 |
| Home Equity Limit | $752,000 | |
| Level of Care | Nursing Facility Level of Care (NFLOC) | |
Estate Recovery Warning
Minnesota's Medical Assistance Estate Recovery Program seeks reimbursement for long-term care costs from the deceased beneficiary's estate, often including the home, though certain protections exist for surviving spouses and disabled children.
Spend-Down & Asset Protection
PROTECTED ASSETS
COMMON PITFALLS
- warning Look-back Period: Gifts made within 60 months trigger heavy penalties for Nursing Home Medicaid and HCBS Waivers.
- warning Excess Income: Failing to utilize the Medically Needy Pathway (spend-down) if income exceeds program limits.
- warning Joint Accounts: All assets of a married couple are considered jointly owned and counted towards asset limits.
First Steps for Families
Locate your ADRC
Contact your local Minnesota 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 $3,000.
Resource Contact
Minnesota Department of Human Services
How to Apply for Minnesota Long-Term Care Medicaid
Assess Level of Care
Obtain a Long-Term Care Consultation (LTCC) assessment to determine the need for nursing facility level of care.
Gather Records
Collect financial statements for the 60-month look-back period preceding the application date.
Submit Application
Apply through the Minnesota Department of Human Services or your local county/tribal human services office using the Application for Medical Assistance for Long-Term Care Services (DHS-3531).
Interviews
Attend any required caseworker evaluations or interviews to verify eligibility.
Approval & Care
Receive a final eligibility determination and activate benefits for long-term care services.
Documents You'll Need
Financial Verification
- 5 years of bank statements
- Stock/bond certificates
- Retirement account information
Income Verification
- Social Security award letters
- Pension stubs
- VA benefit statements
Medical/Identity
- Social Security card
- Medicare card
- Doctor's clinical assessments (LTCC)
Property/Residency
- Home deed
- Vehicle registration
- Proof of Minnesota residency
Frequently Asked Questions About Minnesota Medicaid
Does Minnesota Medicaid pay for assisted living?
Yes, Minnesota's Elderly Waiver (EW) can cover services in assisted living facilities for eligible seniors who require a nursing home level of care. However, it does not cover room and board costs; residents are responsible for those expenses. The Housing Supports program may offer additional help with housing costs.
What is the Minnesota Medicaid income limit for seniors in 2026?
For Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waivers like the Elderly Waiver, the individual income limit in Minnesota for 2026 is $2,982 per month. For married couples where both apply for HCBS Waivers, the combined income limit is $5,964 per month.
How long is the HCBS waiver waitlist in Minnesota?
Minnesota's Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waivers, including the Elderly Waiver, are not an entitlement, and the number of participants is limited. While waiting lists may exist, specific current waitlist counts or average wait times for the Elderly Waiver in Minnesota are not explicitly published in the available 2026 information.
Will Medicaid take my parent's house in Minnesota?
Minnesota's Medical Assistance Estate Recovery Program (MERP) may seek reimbursement for long-term care costs from a deceased beneficiary's estate, which often includes the home. However, the home is generally exempt from asset limits during the applicant's lifetime, especially if a spouse or certain dependent relatives reside there, and recovery may be delayed in such cases.
Can I be paid to care for my parent through Minnesota Medicaid?
Yes, Minnesota's Elderly Waiver (EW) offers a Consumer Directed Community Supports (CDCS) option. This allows eligible seniors to self-direct their care and hire their own caregivers, which can include adult children or spouses, to provide personal care and other services.
Medicaid vs Medicare for long-term care in Minnesota?
Medicare primarily covers short-term, skilled nursing care and rehabilitation, not ongoing long-term care in nursing homes or assisted living. Minnesota's Medical Assistance (Medicaid) is the primary program that covers extensive long-term care services, including nursing home care and home and community-based services through programs like the Elderly Waiver, for eligible low-income seniors.
TOPICAL GUIDES — HOW MEDICAID WORKS
EXPLORE MINNESOTA
Last updated: April 24, 2026. Sources: Minnesota Department of 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.