Utah Medicaid & Elder Care
Utah's Medicaid programs for seniors offer pathways to long-term care, including home and community-based services through waivers, with specific income and asset limits for eligibility.
Medicaid Report Card
Overall State Performance Index
Based on CMS Nursing Home Compare + state Medicaid agency data
View Methodology arrow_forwardUtah Monthly Costs
Utah's senior care costs are below the national average: assisted living runs about $3,500 per month (23.8% less) and a semi-private nursing home room about $8,616 per month (22.0% less), with costs varying by region.
Waiver Programs
Aging Waiver for Individuals Age 65 or Older
Also called: UT Waiver for Individuals Age 65 or Older
This waiver provides home and community-based services to Utah seniors aged 65 and older who require a Nursing Facility Level of Care but wish to remain in their homes or the home of a loved one. It aims to prevent or delay unnecessary nursing home admissions.
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- check_circle In-Home Personal Care Assistance
- check_circle Personal Emergency Response Systems
- check_circle Respite Care
insights Program Snapshot
- Functional criterion
- Nursing Facility Level of Care
- Income limit (single)
- $1,330/month (effective March 2026 - Feb 2027)
- Asset limit (single)
- $2,000
- Administered by
- Division of Aging and Adult Services (through Area Agencies on Aging)
2026 Eligibility Requirements
| Criteria | Individual Limit | Married (Both Applying) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Income | No hard cap for nursing-home care. Income above the personal needs allowance goes toward the cost of care (spend-down). | |
| Asset Limit | $2,000 | $3,000 |
| Home Equity Limit | $752,000 | |
| Level of Care | Nursing Facility Level of Care (NFLOC) | |
Utah has no hard income cap for nursing-home Medicaid: a resident generally qualifies if income is below the private cost of nursing home care and pays everything above the $45 personal needs allowance as a contribution to care. HCBS waiver applicants over the $2,982 waiver limit can still qualify through a spend-down to $1,330 (100% of the federal poverty level).
verifiedChecked against Utah Department of Health & Human Services 2026 standards on November 11, 2026.
Estate Recovery Warning
Utah's MERP is aggressive, seeking reimbursement for long-term care costs from a deceased recipient's estate, including certain non-probate assets. Protections exist for surviving spouses and dependents, but strategic planning is crucial to shield assets.
Spend-Down & Asset Protection
PROTECTED ASSETS
COMMON PITFALLS
- warning Look-back Period: Asset transfers for less than fair market value within 60 months (5 years) prior to applying can result in a penalty period of ineligibility.
- warning Excess Income: Income over the $2,982 waiver limit does not end eligibility, but it moves the applicant to the $1,330 test with a monthly spend-down; in a nursing home, income above the $45 allowance goes toward care.
- warning Countable Assets: All assets of a married couple are considered jointly owned, and certain retirement accounts (IRAs/401Ks) are typically counted unless in payout status.
First Steps for Families
Locate your ADRC
Contact your local Utah 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 $2,000.
Resource Contact
Utah Department of Health & Human Services
How to Apply for Utah Long-Term Care Medicaid
Assess Level of Care
Obtain medical certification of Nursing Facility Level of Care (NFLOC) through a pre-admission and continued stay review.
Gather Records
Collect financial statements for the past 60 months, income verification, and medical/identity documents.
Address Excess Income/Assets
If income exceeds waiver limits, plan for a monthly spend-down (no trust is needed). If assets exceed limits, explore spend-down options on exempt assets.
Submit Application
Apply online via myCase, download and mail a paper application, or apply in person at a Department of Workforce Services (DWS) office. For long-term care, include the Long Term Care Addendum.
Caseworker Review
A DWS eligibility worker will review the application, potentially requesting additional information or interviews.
Approval & Care
Upon approval, benefits are activated, and a person-centered care plan is developed for waiver services.
Documents You'll Need
Financial Verification
- 60 months 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/disability
- Proof of U.S. citizenship or alien status
Property/Residency
- Home deed
- Vehicle registration
- Proof of Utah residency
- Utility bills
Frequently Asked Questions About Utah Medicaid
Does Utah Medicaid pay for assisted living?
Yes, Utah Medicaid's Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers, such as the New Choices Waiver, can cover some long-term care services provided in assisted living facilities. However, these waivers typically do not cover the cost of room and board in assisted living residences. Beneficiaries must meet specific financial and medical eligibility criteria, including requiring a Nursing Facility Level of Care.
What is the Utah Medicaid income limit for seniors in 2026?
For institutional (nursing home) Medicaid in Utah, there is no strict income limit, but nearly all of a recipient's income, minus a personal needs allowance, must go towards the cost of care. For Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers, income limits apply. For example, the New Choices Waiver has an individual income limit of $2,982 per month in 2026, and the Aging Waiver has an individual income limit of $1,330 per month (effective March 2026). Waiver applicants with income over $2,982 can still qualify by spending down to $1,330 a month.
How long is the HCBS waiver waitlist in Utah?
Utah's Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers, including the Aging Waiver and New Choices Waiver, are not entitlement programs and have limited enrollment slots. When these slots are full, waitlists can form. However, specific numbers for the current waitlist count or typical wait times for these waivers in Utah are not publicly published.
Will Medicaid take my parent's house in Utah?
While a primary home is generally an exempt asset for Medicaid eligibility purposes (up to $752,000 in equity in 2026), it is not exempt from Utah's Medicaid Estate Recovery Program (MERP). After a Medicaid recipient's death, the state can seek reimbursement for long-term care costs from their estate, which may include placing a lien on the home. Recovery can be delayed if a surviving spouse or certain disabled dependents reside in the home.
Can I be paid to care for my parent through Utah Medicaid?
Yes, Utah Medicaid offers programs that allow family members, including spouses in some cases, to be compensated for providing care to eligible seniors through Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers. These programs support self-direction, where the individual or their representative can hire and manage their caregivers. A financial management services agency typically handles the payroll and other employment responsibilities.
Medicaid vs Medicare for long-term care in Utah?
Medicare primarily covers short-term, skilled nursing care or rehabilitation following a hospital stay, and limited home health care, but generally does not cover long-term custodial care in Utah. Medicaid, administered by the Utah Department of Health & Human Services, is a needs-based program that can cover extensive long-term care services, including nursing home care and home and community-based services through waivers, for eligible low-income seniors.
TOPICAL GUIDES — HOW MEDICAID WORKS
EXPLORE UTAH
Last updated: November 12, 2026. Sources: Utah Department of Health & 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.