Vermont Medicaid & Elder Care
Vermont's senior Medicaid landscape, administered by the Department of Vermont Health Access, offers the Choices for Care waiver to support home and community-based services for those meeting nursing home level of care.
Medicaid Report Card
Overall State Performance Index
Based on CMS Nursing Home Compare + state Medicaid agency data
View Methodology arrow_forwardVermont Monthly Costs
Vermont's long-term care costs are notably higher than the national average, with nursing home private rooms averaging approximately 44% more annually.
Waiver Programs
Choices for Care (CFC)
Also called: Global Commitment to Health Waiver (under which CFC operates)
The Choices for Care (CFC) program provides home and community-based services to eligible seniors and adults with disabilities who require a nursing home level of care. This Medicaid waiver aims to prevent or delay nursing home admissions by offering a range of support services, allowing individuals to receive care in their homes or assisted living facilities.
- check_circle Case Management
- check_circle Personal Care
- check_circle Adult Day Health
- check_circle Homemaker Services
- check_circle Home Modifications
- check_circle Respite Care
- check_circle Home Health Services
- check_circle Monthly Payments to Hire Caregivers
insights Program Snapshot
- Functional criterion
- Nursing Home Level of Care
- Administered by
- Department of Vermont Health Access
- Recertification
- Annual (Medicaid generally requires annual renewal)
- Self-direction
- Yes, participants can designate and hire caregivers, including family members (excluding spouses in some cases).
2026 Eligibility Requirements
| Criteria | Individual Limit | Married (Both Applying) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Income | $2,982 | $5,964 |
| Asset Limit | $2,000 | $4,000 |
| Home Equity Limit | $752,000 | |
| Level of Care | Nursing Home Level of Care (NHLOC) | |
Estate Recovery Warning
Vermont's Medicaid Estate Recovery Program aggressively seeks reimbursement for long-term care costs from the probate estate of deceased recipients aged 55 or older, though recovery is delayed under specific circumstances involving surviving spouses or disabled children.
Spend-Down & Asset Protection
PROTECTED ASSETS
COMMON PITFALLS
- warning Look-back Period: Gifts or asset transfers made within 60 months of applying for less than fair market value can trigger heavy penalties and periods of ineligibility.
- warning Excess Income: Failing to spend down excess income through the Medically Needy pathway if monthly income exceeds the Medicaid limit.
- warning Joint Accounts: The full balance of joint bank accounts or other jointly held assets is often counted as belonging to the applicant, regardless of actual contribution.
First Steps for Families
Locate your ADRC
Contact your local Vermont 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.
How to Apply for Vermont Long-Term Care Medicaid
Assess Level of Care
Obtain medical certification that demonstrates a need for a Nursing Home Level of Care, which is a functional eligibility requirement for long-term care Medicaid.
Gather Records
Collect comprehensive financial documentation, including 60 months of bank statements, income verification, and property records, to demonstrate financial eligibility.
Utilize Medically Needy Pathway
If your income exceeds Vermont's Medicaid limits, you may qualify by spending down the excess on medical expenses through the Medically Needy program.
Submit Application
Complete and submit the appropriate application form (e.g., 202LTC for Choices for Care or 205ALLMED for MABD) to the Department of Vermont Health Access or through Vermont Health Connect.
Attend Interviews
Participate in required interviews and evaluations with Medicaid caseworkers to review your application and eligibility.
Approval & Care
Receive a final determination of eligibility, and if approved, benefits will be activated to cover long-term care services.
Documents You'll Need
Financial Verification
- 5 years of bank statements
- Stock/bond certificates
- Retirement account information
- Deeds to home
- Proof of life insurance cash value
Income Verification
- Social Security award letters
- Pension stubs
- VA benefit statements
- Pay stubs
- W-2 forms
Medical/Identity
- Social Security card
- Medicare card
- Doctor's clinical assessments
- Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal immigration status
Property/Residency
- Home deed
- Vehicle registration
- Proof of Vermont residency
Frequently Asked Questions About Vermont Medicaid
Does Vermont Medicaid pay for assisted living?
Yes, Vermont Medicaid can cover assisted living services through programs like Choices for Care (CFC). This Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waiver provides support for eligible seniors who meet a nursing home level of care, allowing them to receive care in assisted living facilities rather than institutional settings.
What is the Vermont Medicaid income limit for seniors in 2026?
For nursing home Medicaid and Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waivers such as Choices for Care, the individual income limit in Vermont for 2026 is $2,982 per month. For married couples with both spouses applying, the combined income limit is $5,964 per month.
How long is the HCBS waiver waitlist in Vermont?
Vermont's Choices for Care (CFC) waiver is not an entitlement program, meaning there are a limited number of participant slots. While waiting lists may exist, specific counts or average wait times for the HCBS waiver in Vermont are not consistently published by authoritative sources.
Will Medicaid take my parent's house in Vermont?
Vermont's Medicaid Estate Recovery Program (MERP) can seek reimbursement for long-term care costs from a deceased recipient's probate estate, which may include their home. However, recovery is typically delayed if a surviving spouse or certain dependent children (under 21, blind, or permanently disabled) continue to reside in the home. There are also hardship provisions that can prevent recovery.
Can I be paid to care for my parent through Vermont Medicaid?
Yes, Vermont Medicaid offers programs that allow family members to be compensated for providing in-home care. Through initiatives like Choices for Care and the Attendant Services Program, eligible family members (though spouses are sometimes excluded) can be paid to care for loved ones who meet a nursing home level of care.
Medicaid vs Medicare for long-term care in Vermont?
Medicare primarily covers short-term, skilled nursing care and rehabilitation, not ongoing long-term care for daily activities. In Vermont, Medicaid (known as Green Mountain Care) is the primary payer for extended long-term care services, including nursing home care and home and community-based services through programs like Choices for Care, for eligible low-income seniors.
TOPICAL GUIDES — HOW MEDICAID WORKS
EXPLORE VERMONT
Last updated: April 24, 2026. Sources: Department of Vermont Health Access, 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.