Utah Medicaid for Nursing Home Care (2026)
In Utah, nursing home Medicaid is called Utah Long Term Care Medicaid and is run by Utah Medicaid and the Department of Workforce Services. Here are the rules that decide who qualifies, in plain English, with links to the official sources.
Countable savings and property a single applicant can keep. The home, one car, personal belongings and a burial fund usually do not count.
After the $45 allowance and other deductions, income goes toward the cost of care. A person whose income is more than the nursing home's private-pay rate does not qualify.
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 Utah 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 Utah Medicaid and the Department of Workforce Services: official application page, or call 1-866-435-7414 (DWS; Salt Lake County 801-526-0950).
- Ask the nursing home for help. Most have a business office or social worker who handles Medicaid applications every week.
Good to know in Utah
Eligibility is handled by the Department of Workforce Services; apply with the Medical Only Application and the Long Term Care Addendum. Utah's ombudsman program is run locally, so contact the office for your county.
Nursing homes in Utah that accept Medicaid
84 of the 97 nursing homes in Utah 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 Utah → All nursing homes in Utah Best-rated homes in Utah
Free help
The Utah Long-Term Care Ombudsman (801-538-3910 (Utah Division of Aging and Adult Services main line; local ombudsman numbers by county listed on the page)) 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 Utah
Does Medicaid pay for nursing homes in Utah?
Yes. Utah Long Term Care Medicaid 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 Utah?
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 Utah?
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 Utah?
$45 a month for personal needs. Most other income goes toward the cost of care, after any allowance for a spouse at home.
Sources
- Table II-A (oepmanuals.dhhs.utah.gov)
- Asset limit for an institutionalized person is $2,000 (oepmanuals.dhhs.utah.gov)
- Income above deductions is paid as a cost-of-care contribution (oepmanuals.dhhs.utah.gov)
- Institutionalized members keep a personal needs allowance (oepmanuals.dhhs.utah.gov)
- Look-back period is 60 months (oepmanuals.dhhs.utah.gov)
- Apply online at jobs.utah.gov/mycase or call DWS 1-866-435-7414 (medicaid.utah.gov)
- Utah Long-Term Care Ombudsman locations (daas.utah.gov)
- 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