Alaska Medicaid for Senior Care
Complete guide to Medicaid eligibility, coverage, and application process for nursing homes, assisted living, and home care in Alaska.
7.6 million Medicaid long-term care recipients nationwide
Alaska Department of Health
Processing Time
45-90 days standard, expedited processing available for urgent cases
Alaska Medicaid Eligibility Requirements (2026)
To qualify for Medicaid long-term care in Alaska, applicants must meet both financial eligibility criteria (income and assets) and medical criteria (level of care needs). Alaska follows federal Medicaid guidelines with some state-specific variations.
Income Limits
Individual Applicant
$2,982/month
Married Couple (One Applying)
$2,982/month per applicant
Income includes Social Security, pensions, annuities, interest, dividends, and rental income.
Asset Limits
Individual Applicant
$2,000
Community Spouse (At-Home Spouse)
$162,660 (community spouse)
Primary residence, one vehicle, personal belongings, and prepaid burial arrangements are exempt from asset limits.
5-Year Look-Back Period
Alaska Medicaid reviews all financial transactions for the 60 months prior to application. Asset transfers or gifts during this period can result in a penalty period of Medicaid ineligibility. The penalty is calculated by dividing the transferred amount by $32,220/month average (highest in U.S.) (the average monthly nursing home cost in Alaska).
Medical Eligibility
Applicants must demonstrate need for nursing facility level of care through a state assessment. This typically requires assistance with 2-3 Activities of Daily Living (bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, eating) or cognitive impairment requiring supervision.
Assessments are performed by state-designated evaluators (nurses or social workers) and typically take 45-90 minutes. The assessment can occur at home, in a hospital, or at the care facility.
What Medicaid Covers in Alaska
Nursing Home Care
Medicaid pays 100% of nursing home costs in Alaska once eligibility is established. The average monthly cost is $32,220/month average (highest in U.S.). Recipients contribute most of their monthly income toward care costs, keeping only $50-75 for personal needs.
Coverage includes room, board, 24-hour nursing care, meals, medications, therapy services, and all medical care provided at the facility.
Assisted Living Coverage
Alaskans Living Independently (ALI) Waiver: Participants can reside in assisted living communities (residential supportive living), but this may limit the range of services available. The ALI Waiver covers personal care services and case management but does not cover room and board expenses. Approved for 3,054 beneficiaries per year.
Note: This program covers personal care services but does not cover room and board costs. Residents need approximately $1,500-$2,500/month from Social Security or other income to cover housing expenses.
Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waivers
Alaska offers 2 HCBS waiver programs that provide in-home care and community services as an alternative to nursing facility placement.
Alaskans Living Independently (ALI) Waiver
Serves Alaska residents age 65+ and physically disabled individuals age 21-64 who require nursing facility level of care. Provides adult day care, private nursing services, home modifications, specialized medical equipment, and meal services. Does not cover room and board in assisted living.
Program Details →Adults with Physical Disabilities (APD) Waiver
Provides HCBS services for adults with physical disabilities who need nursing facility level of care but prefer community-based services.
Program Details →How to Apply for Medicaid in Alaska
Alaska Medicaid applications typically take 45-90 days standard, expedited processing available for urgent cases. Starting the process early and submitting complete documentation helps avoid delays.
Application Methods
You can apply for Medicaid in Alaska through:
- Online through my.alaska.gov
- Mail to Division of Public Assistance office
- In-person at local DPA office
- Through Healthcare.gov
Step 1: Gather Required Documents
Before starting your application, collect:
- •Birth certificate and Social Security card
- •Proof of citizenship (passport, naturalization)
- •5 years of bank statements
- •Investment and retirement account statements
- •Property deeds and mortgage statements
- •Life insurance policies
- •Social Security award letter
- •Pension benefit statements
- •Medicare card
- •Doctor's statement of care needs
Step 2: Submit Your Application
Complete and submit your application through one of the methods listed above. If applying online or by mail, keep copies of all submitted documents.
Step 3: Medical Assessment
A state assessor will evaluate level of care needs. This assessment typically takes 45-90 minutes and covers functional abilities, medical needs, cognitive status, and safety concerns.
Step 4: Financial Review
Medicaid staff review all financial documents and investigate any transfers or gifts made in the past 60 months. They may request additional documentation during this process.
Step 5: Receive Determination
You'll receive written notification of approval or denial. Approved applications include the effective date of coverage (often retroactive up to 3 months), patient responsibility amount, and covered services.
Get Free Application Help
Free Medicaid application assistance is available in Alaska from:
- •Area Agency on Aging: Call 1-800-677-1116 (Eldercare Locator) to find your local office
- •SHIP counselors: Free Medicare/Medicaid counseling
- •Nursing facility social workers: In-facility application support
- •Elder law attorneys: Paid help for complex financial situations ($2,000-$5,000)
Alaska-Specific Programs and Resources
Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC)
Statewide resource center providing information and assistance for long-term care options. Call 1-855-565-2017 to begin ALI Waiver application.
Learn MoreNeed Help with Alaska Medicaid?
Contact Alaska Department of Health for specific questions about eligibility, application status, or covered services.
Main Office Phone
1-800-780-9972Application Helpline
1-800-780-9972