Pennsylvania Medicaid for Nursing Home Care (2026)
In Pennsylvania, nursing home Medicaid is called Medical Assistance for long-term care and is run by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. Here are the rules that decide who qualifies, in plain English, with links to the official sources.
The limit is $8,000 when income is $2,982 a month or less. With higher income, a person can still qualify through the medically needy route, but the asset limit is $2,400.
Pennsylvania does not use income trusts. Income above $2,982 a month only changes which asset limit applies; income then goes toward the cost of care.
What the resident keeps each month for personal items. Most other income goes to the nursing home.
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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania Department of Human Services: official application page, or call 1-866-550-4355 (DHS Consumer Service Center; takes long-term care applications by phone).
- Ask the nursing home for help. Most have a business office or social worker who handles Medicaid applications every week.
Good to know in Pennsylvania
Most nursing home residents on Medical Assistance are enrolled in Community HealthChoices, Pennsylvania's managed care program. Applications can be made online through COMPASS, at the county assistance office, or by phone.
Nursing homes in Pennsylvania that accept Medicaid
599 of the 656 nursing homes in Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania → All nursing homes in Pennsylvania Best-rated homes in Pennsylvania
Free help
The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Ombudsman (717-783-8975) 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 Pennsylvania
Does Medicaid pay for nursing homes in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Medical Assistance for 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 Pennsylvania?
A single applicant can have up to $8,000 in countable assets (2026 figure). The home, one car and personal belongings usually do not count.
What is the Medicaid look-back period in Pennsylvania?
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 Pennsylvania?
$60 a month for personal needs. Most other income goes toward the cost of care, after any allowance for a spouse at home.
Sources
- 2026 income threshold $2,982 (pa.gov)
- Medically Needy Only resource limit $2,400 for one person (pa.gov)
- Apply for MA by phone at 1-866-550-4355 (pa.gov)
- Personal needs allowance for long-term care facility residents raised… (phlp.org)
- State Long-Term Care Ombudsman office (pa.gov)
- Corroborates 2026 $8,000/$2,400 asset rules, $60 personal needs… (medicaidplanningassistance.org)
- CMS: 2026 SSI and spousal impoverishment standards
- CMS: spousal impoverishment standards effective July 1, 2026
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