Kentucky Medicaid for Senior Care
Complete guide to Medicaid eligibility, coverage, and application process for nursing homes, assisted living, and home care in Kentucky.
7.6 million Medicaid long-term care recipients nationwide
Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services - Department for Medicaid Services
Processing Time
30-45 days for nursing home Medicaid, 45-90 days for waiver programs (waiting list applies for HCB waiver)
Kentucky Medicaid Eligibility Requirements (2026)
To qualify for Medicaid long-term care in Kentucky, applicants must meet both financial eligibility criteria (income and assets) and medical criteria (level of care needs). Kentucky follows federal Medicaid guidelines with some state-specific variations.
Income Limits
Individual Applicant
$2,982/month
Married Couple (One Applying)
$5,964/month (both spouses applying)
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
Kentucky 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 $8,350/month average (the average monthly nursing home cost in Kentucky).
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 Kentucky
Nursing Home Care
Medicaid pays 100% of nursing home costs in Kentucky once eligibility is established. The average monthly cost is $8,350/month average. 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
Proposed Assisted Living Waiver (not yet implemented): Kentucky does not currently offer Medicaid coverage for assisted living services. Legislation was proposed in 2025 to create an assisted living waiver, but as of early 2026, the HCB Waiver does not allow participants to reside in assisted living facilities. The state is one of only three states without Medicaid-covered assisted living options.
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
Kentucky offers 3 HCBS waiver programs that provide in-home care and community services as an alternative to nursing facility placement.
Home and Community Based Waiver (HCB)
Serves Kentucky residents age 65+ or disabled individuals up to age 64 who are at risk of nursing home placement. Provides attendant care, environmental and minor home adaptations, respite, and other supportive services. Currently has a waiting list - 500 new slots were allocated effective July 1, 2025.
Program Details →Acquired Brain Injury Long-Term Care Waiver (ABI-LTC)
Provides specialized services for individuals with acquired brain injury including adult day services, behavioral services, prevocational services, and residential habilitation.
Program Details →Supports for Community Living Waiver (SCL)
Serves individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities who need ICF/IID level of care. Provides comprehensive services including residential supports, community integration, and employment services.
Program Details →How to Apply for Medicaid in Kentucky
Kentucky Medicaid applications typically take 30-45 days for nursing home Medicaid, 45-90 days for waiver programs (waiting list applies for HCB waiver). Starting the process early and submitting complete documentation helps avoid delays.
Application Methods
You can apply for Medicaid in Kentucky through:
- Online at https://kynect.ky.gov
- Call DCBS at 1-855-306-8959
- Call Kynect at 1-855-459-6328
- In-person at local Department for Community Based Services office
- Through hospital or nursing facility social worker
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 Kentucky 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)
Kentucky-Specific Programs and Resources
Kentucky HEALTH (Helping to Engage and Achieve Long Term Health)
Kentucky's Medicaid managed care program that coordinates health services through managed care organizations for most Medicaid beneficiaries.
Learn MoreMedicare Savings Programs
Helps low-income Medicare beneficiaries pay for Medicare premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance. Includes QMB, SLMB, and QI-1 programs.
Learn MoreNeed Help with Kentucky Medicaid?
Contact Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services - Department for Medicaid Services for specific questions about eligibility, application status, or covered services.
Main Office Phone
1-855-459-6328Application Helpline
1-855-459-6328