Nebraska Medicaid & Elder Care
Nebraska's senior Medicaid landscape offers the Aged and Disabled Waiver for home and assisted living care, complemented by a Medically Needy pathway for those with higher incomes.
Medicaid Report Card
Overall State Performance Index
Based on CMS Nursing Home Compare + state Medicaid agency data
View Methodology arrow_forwardNebraska Monthly Costs
Nebraska senior care costs, including assisted living, are approximately 11% lower than the national average.
Waiver Programs
Nebraska Aged and Disabled (AD) Waiver
Also called: Home and Community-Based Services Waiver for Aged and Adults and Children with Disabilities
The Nebraska Aged and Disabled Waiver provides supportive services for elderly and disabled individuals to help them remain in their homes or assisted living facilities, preventing unnecessary nursing home admissions. It offers a variety of long-term services and supports to promote community living.
- check_circle Adult Day Care
- check_circle Assisted Living Services (care costs only)
- check_circle Assistive Technology for the Home and Vehicle
- check_circle Case Management
- check_circle Chore Services (laundry, housekeeping, shopping)
- check_circle Community Transition Services
- check_circle Home Delivered Meals
- check_circle Home Modifications
- check_circle Independence Skills Training
- check_circle Non-Medical Transportation
- check_circle Personal Care Assistance
- check_circle Personal Emergency Response Systems
- check_circle Respite Care
insights Program Snapshot
- Enrollment
- Entitlement for eligible individuals
- Functional criterion
- Nursing Home Level of Care (NHLOC)
- Administered by
- Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
- Self-direction
- Participants can hire independent providers, including family members
2026 Eligibility Requirements
| Criteria | Individual Limit | Married (Both Applying) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Income | $1,330 | $2,660 |
| Asset Limit | $4,000 | $8,000 |
| Home Equity Limit | $752,000 | |
| Level of Care | Nursing Home Level of Care (NHLOC) | |
Estate Recovery Warning
Nebraska's Medicaid Estate Recovery Program aggressively seeks reimbursement for long-term care expenses from a deceased recipient's estate. Recovery is typically delayed if a surviving spouse or certain dependent children reside in the home, and specific hardship exemptions exist.
Spend-Down & Asset Protection
PROTECTED ASSETS
COMMON PITFALLS
- warning Look-back Period: Gifts and transfers for less than fair market value made within 60 months prior to application trigger penalty periods.
- warning Excess Income: Failing to utilize the Medically Needy program for income over the limit can lead to ineligibility.
- warning Joint Accounts: All assets of a married couple are considered jointly owned, potentially impacting eligibility.
First Steps for Families
Locate your ADRC
Contact your local Nebraska 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 $4,000.
Resource Contact
Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS)
How to Apply for Nebraska Long-Term Care Medicaid
Assess Level of Care
Obtain medical certification demonstrating a Nursing Home Level of Care (NHLOC) need.
Gather Records
Collect 60 months of financial statements, income verification, and other necessary documents.
Address Excess Income
If income exceeds limits, utilize Nebraska's Medically Needy (spend-down) program.
Submit Application
Apply online via ACCESSNebraska.ne.gov, by phone, or in person at a DHHS office.
Attend Interviews
Participate in required caseworker evaluations to determine eligibility and care needs.
Approval & Care
Receive final eligibility determination and activate Medicaid 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
- Paystubs/W-2 forms
Medical/Identity
- Social Security card
- Medicare card (if applicable)
- Doctor's clinical assessments for NHLOC
Property/Residency
- Home deed
- Vehicle registration
- Proof of Nebraska residency
Frequently Asked Questions About Nebraska Medicaid
Does Nebraska Medicaid pay for assisted living?
Nebraska Medicaid indirectly covers assisted living services through its Aged and Disabled Waiver. This waiver helps pay for care-related services, such as personal care and adult day services, for eligible seniors who require a nursing home level of care. However, the waiver does not cover the costs of room and board in an assisted living facility.
What is the Nebraska Medicaid income limit for seniors in 2026?
For 2026, the income limit for a single senior applying for Nursing Home Medicaid or HCBS Waivers in Nebraska is $1,330 per month. For married couples where both are applying, the combined income limit is $2,660 per month. Nebraska also offers a Medically Needy program, allowing individuals with higher incomes to qualify by spending down on medical expenses.
How long is the HCBS waiver waitlist in Nebraska?
Currently, there is no waitlist for Nebraska's Aged and Disabled (AD) Waiver. The program is an entitlement for all eligible individuals, meaning that once a senior meets the financial and functional criteria, they are guaranteed to receive services without a waiting period.
Will Medicaid take my parent's house in Nebraska?
Nebraska's Medicaid Estate Recovery Program (MERP) is legally required to seek reimbursement for long-term care costs from a deceased recipient's estate, which can include their home. However, recovery is typically delayed if a surviving spouse or a child under 21, or a blind or permanently disabled child of any age, resides in the home.
Can I be paid to care for my parent through Nebraska Medicaid?
Yes, Nebraska's Aged and Disabled Waiver allows for self-direction of care, which means eligible individuals can hire and manage their own caregivers. This includes the option to hire certain family members, such as an adult child or even a spouse, as independent providers for personal care services.
Medicaid vs Medicare for long-term care in Nebraska?
Medicare primarily covers short-term, skilled nursing care and rehabilitation, not long-term custodial care. In contrast, Nebraska Medicaid, known as the Nebraska Medical Assistance Program, is the primary payer for long-term care services, including nursing home care and home and community-based services through programs like the Aged and Disabled Waiver, for financially eligible seniors.
TOPICAL GUIDES — HOW MEDICAID WORKS
EXPLORE NEBRASKA
Last updated: April 24, 2026. Sources: Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS), 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.