Apply through your state Medicaid agency: online through the state’s benefits portal, by phone, by mail or in person at a local social services office. Adults under 65 can also start at HealthCare.gov. Gather proof of identity, citizenship or immigration status, income, assets and any other insurance. States must decide within 45 days (90 days if disability is involved). Long-term care Medicaid has stricter asset rules and a five-year look-back in most states.
Step 1: Know Which Medicaid You Need
| Program | What it does | Common for |
|---|---|---|
| Full Medicaid (aged, blind, disabled) | Health coverage, often alongside Medicare | Seniors with low income and assets |
| Medicare Savings Programs | Pays Part B premiums and sometimes deductibles | Medicare members with modest income |
| Long-term care (nursing home) Medicaid | Pays nursing home care | People needing 24-hour care |
| Home and community-based waivers | Pays in-home care, adult day, assisted living services in some states | People who want care at home |
| PACE | All-inclusive medical and care program | Age 55+ who need nursing-home-level care |
Learn more about PACE, the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly.
Step 2: Check Eligibility
Each state sets its own income and asset limits for seniors. Many states cap countable assets for a single person at a few thousand dollars, while some set higher limits or none for certain programs. Your home, one car, personal belongings and some burial funds usually do not count. Search “[your state] Medicaid eligibility” on your state’s official .gov site, or call your local Area Agency on Aging for free help.
Step 3: Gather Your Documents
- Photo ID and proof of age
- Social Security and Medicare cards
- Proof of citizenship or immigration status
- Proof of address (utility bill or lease)
- Income: Social Security award letter, pension and annuity statements
- Bank, retirement and investment statements (long-term care applications often ask for up to 60 months)
- Life insurance policies, property deeds and vehicle titles
- Health insurance cards and premium bills
Step 4: Submit Your Application
- Online: your state’s benefits portal is fastest and lets you upload documents.
- Phone: call your state Medicaid agency; a worker can take the application.
- In person or mail: local county or social services office.
- Under 65: HealthCare.gov will send your application to the state if you qualify.
Keep copies of everything and write down the date you applied.
Step 5: Respond Quickly and Follow Up
The state may ask for more documents or schedule an interview. Answer by the deadline on the letter or the application can be denied. If you are denied, the notice explains how to appeal; you usually have a limited window to request a fair hearing.
Need care at home while you apply? See home care options like True Freedom Nationwide Home Care Plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I apply for Medicaid?
Through your state Medicaid agency, online, by phone, by mail or in person. Adults under 65 can also apply through HealthCare.gov, which forwards the application to the state.
How long does it take to get approved for Medicaid?
States must decide within 45 days, or 90 days if the application is based on disability. Long-term care applications often take the full time because of the asset review.
Can I have Medicare and Medicaid at the same time?
Yes. People with both are called dual eligibles. Medicaid can pay Medicare premiums and cost-sharing, and dual eligibles can change Medicare drug plans more often.
What is the Medicaid look-back period?
For long-term care Medicaid, most states review asset transfers made in the 60 months before you apply. Gifts or below-value transfers can cause a period when Medicaid will not pay for care.
Can I keep my house and still get Medicaid?
Usually, yes, if you or a spouse live there, up to a home equity limit set by your state. The state may seek repayment from the estate after death through estate recovery.
Do Medicaid work requirements apply to seniors?
No. The new federal work requirements apply to certain adults ages 19 to 64 in expansion states. People 65 and older are not subject to them.
General information, not legal advice. Rules vary by state; confirm with your state Medicaid agency, Medicaid.gov, or an elder law attorney.
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