Baton Rouge Senior AdvisorWhat are Louisiana's 2026 Medicaid limits for long-term care?
Income up to $2,982 a month, with a spend-down path above that, and countable resources of $2,000 for a single person.
A married couple both in a facility can have $3,000; the spouse at home is protected by separate allowances.
What is the Medicaid look-back period in Louisiana?
Sixty months: transfers for less than fair value in the five years before applying can cause a penalty period.
Talk to an elder law attorney before giving away money or property.
What is the Community Choices Waiver?
A Louisiana Medicaid waiver for adults 21 and older who meet nursing home level of care, paying for in-home services such as personal assistance, respite, home-delivered meals and home modifications.
Slots go to priority groups and then by request date on the Request for Services Registry, so request early.
What is LT-PCS?
Long Term-Personal Care Services, a Medicaid state plan program paying for hands-on personal care hours at home for people who meet nursing home level of care and a risk test.
It has no waiver registry, so it often starts sooner than the CCW.
Is PACE available in the Baton Rouge area?
Yes, in East Baton Rouge and West Baton Rouge parishes: PACE Baton Rouge (225-490-0604) serves people 55 and older who meet nursing home level of care and can live safely at home.
Residents of Ascension, Livingston and the other parishes are outside its service area.
How much does a Medicaid nursing home resident keep each month?
A $45 Personal Care Needs Allowance, raised from $38 on July 1, 2025.
Most other income goes toward the cost of care.
Where do Baton Rouge families request Medicaid long-term care services?
Louisiana Options in Long-Term Care at 1-877-456-1146 handles requests for the CCW, LT-PCS, the ADHC Waiver and nursing home admission; Medicaid applications go through the Self-Service Portal or 1-888-342-6207.
Parish councils on aging and the Capital Area Agency on Aging can help with the paperwork.
Can my parent keep the house and still get Louisiana Medicaid?
Often yes: a home is generally not counted while it remains within the $752,000 equity limit for 2026 and the rules for a spouse or intent to return are met, though estate recovery can apply after death.
Rules on homes are detailed, and an elder law attorney is worth consulting before any property is sold or retitled, because a transfer for less than fair value within 60 months can cause a penalty.
Does my parent need a nursing home level of care for every Louisiana Medicaid long-term program?
Yes: the Community Choices Waiver, LT-PCS, the ADHC Waiver, PACE and Medicaid nursing home care all require OAAS to find that the person meets nursing facility level of care.
A parent who needs some help but not that much may qualify for regular Medicaid but not for these programs; the parish council on aging can suggest other local services in that case.
