Paying for care

Ohio Medicaid for Nursing Home Care (2026)

In Ohio, nursing home Medicaid is called Ohio Medicaid long-term care and is run by the Ohio Department of Medicaid and county Job and Family Services offices. Here are the rules that decide who qualifies, in plain English, with links to the official sources.

Asset limit$2,000

Countable savings and property a single applicant can keep. The home, one car, personal belongings and a burial fund usually do not count.

Income limit$2,982 a month

A firm limit on gross monthly income. Someone with more can still qualify by setting up Qualified Income Trust (QIT), also called a Miller trust.

Personal needs allowance$75 a month

What the resident keeps each month for personal items. Most other income goes to the nursing home.

Look-back period5 years

Gifts or transfers for less than fair value in this window can delay coverage.

Figures for 2026. Checked against official sources October 2026.

If the applicant is married

Federal “spousal impoverishment” rules protect the spouse who stays at home, so they are not left without money.

Savings the at-home spouse can keep: between $32,532 and $162,660 in 2026, depending on how Ohio applies the rule and the couple’s total assets.
Monthly income for the at-home spouse: at least $2,705 a month and up to $4,066.50, topped up from the resident’s income if needed.
The home: usually protected while a spouse lives there. Without a spouse at home, equity above $752,000 (up to $1,130,000 in some states) can make an applicant ineligible.

How to apply

Start early. States must decide most applications within 45 days, but missing paperwork often makes it longer. Ask whether coverage can be backdated to the months before you applied.
Gather records: ID, Medicare and insurance cards, proof of income, and bank and investment statements (often for the full look-back period).
Apply with the Ohio Department of Medicaid and county Job and Family Services offices: official application page, or call 1-800-324-8680 (Ohio Medicaid Consumer Hotline).
Ask the nursing home for help. Most have a business office or social worker who handles Medicaid applications every week.

Good to know in Ohio

Ohio raised the personal needs allowance to $75 a month in January 2026; some older websites still say $50. Applications are handled by the County Department of Job and Family Services.

Nursing homes in Ohio that accept Medicaid

914 of the 922 nursing homes in Ohio on Medicare’s list accept Medicaid. Medicaid beds can be limited, so ask each home whether it has one available and whether it will keep a resident who moves from private pay to Medicaid.

Find homes that accept Medicaid in Ohio → All nursing homes in Ohio Best-rated homes in Ohio

Free help

The Ohio Long-Term Care Ombudsman (1-800-282-1206) helps nursing home residents and families with problems, including Medicaid admissions and discharges, at no cost. For planning around a home, savings or a spouse, a certified elder law attorney can advise on what is allowed.

Questions about Medicaid in Ohio

Does Medicaid pay for nursing homes in Ohio?

Yes. Ohio Medicaid long-term care pays for long-term nursing home care for people who need that level of care and meet the income and asset rules. Medicare, by contrast, covers only short rehab stays after a hospital admission.

How much money can you have to qualify for Medicaid in Ohio?

A single applicant can have up to $2,000 in countable assets (2026 figure). The home, one car and personal belongings usually do not count.

What is the Medicaid look-back period in Ohio?

60 months. Gifts or sales below value during that time can cause a period when Medicaid will not pay for care.

How much income does a nursing home resident on Medicaid keep in Ohio?

$75 a month for personal needs. Most other income goes toward the cost of care, after any allowance for a spouse at home.

Sources

This page explains the general rules and is not legal or financial advice. Medicaid rules change, and each case depends on the details: confirm with the state agency before making decisions. Medicare vs. Medicaid · Nursing home cost planner · VA benefits for veterans