Louisiana Medicaid for Senior Care
Complete guide to Medicaid eligibility, coverage, and application process for nursing homes, assisted living, and home care in Louisiana.
7.6 million Medicaid long-term care recipients nationwide
Louisiana Department of Health - Bureau of Health Services Financing
Processing Time
45 days for standard applications, 10 days for pregnant women and emergencies
Louisiana Medicaid Eligibility Requirements (2026)
To qualify for Medicaid long-term care in Louisiana, applicants must meet both financial eligibility criteria (income and assets) and medical criteria (level of care needs). Louisiana follows federal Medicaid guidelines with some state-specific variations.
Income Limits
Individual Applicant
$2,982/month
Married Couple (One Applying)
$5,964/month
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
Louisiana 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 $6,900/month average (the average monthly nursing home cost in Louisiana).
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 Louisiana
Nursing Home Care
Medicaid pays 100% of nursing home costs in Louisiana once eligibility is established. The average monthly cost is $6,900/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
Community Choices Waiver (Limited): Louisiana does not offer standard Medicaid-funded assisted living services. However, individuals in assisted living may request services through the Community Choices Waiver on a case-by-case basis. The waiver covers care services like personal care and case management, but does not cover room and board costs. Note: Louisiana is one of only three states that do not provide dedicated assisted living Medicaid coverage.
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
Louisiana offers 3 HCBS waiver programs that provide in-home care and community services as an alternative to nursing facility placement.
Community Choices Waiver (CCW)
Serves seniors and adults with disabilities who are at risk of nursing home admission. Provides personal care assistance, home modifications, respite care, adult day care, home meal delivery, and monitored in-home caregiving to help individuals remain at home or in the community.
Program Details →New Opportunities Waiver (NOW)
Provides home and community-based services for individuals with developmental disabilities who require intermediate care facility level of care but prefer to live in the community.
Program Details →Residential Options Waiver (ROW)
Serves individuals with developmental disabilities in supported living arrangements, providing 24-hour supervision and support services.
Program Details →How to Apply for Medicaid in Louisiana
Louisiana Medicaid applications typically take 45 days for standard applications, 10 days for pregnant women and emergencies. Starting the process early and submitting complete documentation helps avoid delays.
Application Methods
You can apply for Medicaid in Louisiana through:
- Online at MyMedicaid.la.gov
- Phone: 1-888-342-6207
- Mail to local Medicaid office
- In-person at parish Medicaid office
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 Louisiana 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)
Louisiana-Specific Programs and Resources
Medicare Savings Programs (QMB/SLMB)
Louisiana has no asset limit for Medicare Savings Programs. QMB covers Medicare Part A and B premiums and cost-sharing for individuals with income up to $1,235/month (single) or $1,663/month (couple). SLMB covers Part B premiums for those with income from QMB levels up to $1,478/month (single) or $1,992/month (couple).
Learn MoreMedically Needy Program
Louisiana's "spend-down" program allows seniors with income over Medicaid limits to become eligible by spending excess income on medical expenses. Medically needy income limit is $100/month for individuals in urban parishes.
Learn MoreSpousal Impoverishment Protections
Community spouse can retain income up to $4,066.50/month (Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance). Assets protected up to $162,660 for the non-applicant spouse through Community Spouse Resource Allowance.
Learn MoreNeed Help with Louisiana Medicaid?
Contact Louisiana Department of Health - Bureau of Health Services Financing for specific questions about eligibility, application status, or covered services.