Minnesota Medicaid for Senior Care
Complete guide to Medicaid eligibility, coverage, and application process for nursing homes, assisted living, and home care in Minnesota.
7.6 million Medicaid long-term care recipients nationwide
Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS)
Processing Time
30-45 days standard; Alternative Care and Elderly Waiver can take 60-90 days due to care assessments
Minnesota Medicaid Eligibility Requirements (2026)
To qualify for Medicaid long-term care in Minnesota, applicants must meet both financial eligibility criteria (income and assets) and medical criteria (level of care needs). Minnesota 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
$3,000
Community Spouse (At-Home Spouse)
$148,620 (community spouse)
Primary residence, one vehicle, personal belongings, and prepaid burial arrangements are exempt from asset limits.
5-Year Look-Back Period
Minnesota 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 $10,227/month average (semi-private), $11,189/month (private) (the average monthly nursing home cost in Minnesota).
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 Minnesota
Nursing Home Care
Medicaid pays 100% of nursing home costs in Minnesota once eligibility is established. The average monthly cost is $10,227/month average (semi-private), $11,189/month (private). 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
Elderly Waiver - Assisted Living Services / Customized Living Services: Minnesota's Elderly Waiver includes robust assisted living coverage through "customized living services" and "assisted living services." These services can cover housing-related costs beyond personal care, including some room and board expenses for low-income seniors. Minnesota is one of few states where Medicaid can help with assisted living room and board costs under certain circumstances.
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
Minnesota offers 3 HCBS waiver programs that provide in-home care and community services as an alternative to nursing facility placement.
Elderly Waiver (EW)
The largest waiver program in Minnesota, serving seniors age 65+ who require nursing home level of care but prefer to live at home or in assisted living. Covers 24-hour emergency assistance, adult day care, assisted living services, case management, chore services, companion services, consumer-directed community supports, customized living services, home-delivered meals, homemaker services, housing access services, individualized home supports, night supervision services, personal care assistance, respite care, and transportation.
Program Details →Alternative Care (AC) Program
Not technically a waiver but functions similarly. Serves seniors age 65+ who meet financial criteria but not quite nursing facility level of care. Provides a monthly flexible budget (average $850) for services like adult day care, chore, companion, home-delivered meals, homemaking, respite, and personal care.
Program Details →Community Alternative Care (CAC) Waiver
Serves adults age 18+ with disabilities who require nursing home level of care. Provides similar services to Elderly Waiver including adult day care, customized living, personal care assistance, respite, and transportation.
Program Details →How to Apply for Medicaid in Minnesota
Minnesota Medicaid applications typically take 30-45 days standard; Alternative Care and Elderly Waiver can take 60-90 days due to care assessments. Starting the process early and submitting complete documentation helps avoid delays.
Application Methods
You can apply for Medicaid in Minnesota through:
- Online through MNsure or MNbenefits
- Phone: 1-800-657-3739 (general) or 1-651-431-2670 (Elderly Waiver/Alternative Care)
- Mail or fax application to local county social services office
- In-person at county human services 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 Minnesota 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)
Minnesota-Specific Programs and Resources
Medical Assistance for Employed Persons with Disabilities (MA-EPD)
Allows working individuals with disabilities to buy into Medicaid with higher income and asset limits. Income limit: $75,000/year. Asset limit: $20,000.
Learn MoreMedicare Savings Programs (QMB/SLMB/QI)
QMB pays Medicare premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance. SLMB pays Medicare Part B premium only. QI pays Part B premium with limited funding (first-come, first-served).
Learn MoreConsumer Support Grants
Small grants ($50-500) for adaptive equipment, home modifications, or other needs not covered by traditional programs. Available to waiver participants.
Learn MoreNeed Help with Minnesota Medicaid?
Contact Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) for specific questions about eligibility, application status, or covered services.