Assisted Living in Indiana

Indiana's Medicaid program for people who are 65 or older, blind, or disabled. It pays for doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, and other medical care. People 60 and older get their coverage through Indiana PathWays for Aging, where a health plan and a care coordinator help arrange services. Younger adults get it through Hoosier Care Connect or Traditional Medicaid.

Medicaid does not pay assisted living rent or meals. It can pay for the care you get there through the PathWays or Health and Wellness waiver, below. If you get SSI, you get Medicaid automatically.

If your spouse stays at home while you get nursing home or waiver care, your spouse can keep more. In 2026 that is up to $162,660 in assets. You cannot qualify for long-term care if your home equity is more than $752,000.

A Medicaid waiver for people 60 and older who need nursing home level care but want to live at home or in assisted living. In an approved assisted living community, it pays a monthly rate for personal care, help with medicines and household tasks, social activities, and staff on site around the clock. It does not pay room and board. You pay that yourself. The waiver can also pay for care in your own home, adult day services, and adult family care.

The waiver has a waiting list, but the rest of PathWays for Aging does not. As of September 2026, 12,266 people were waiting for the PathWays waiver. FSSA invites people from the list each month. People leaving a nursing home or hospital come first, then others in order of the date of their care assessment. FSSA also holds 400 slots for people who already live in an approved assisted living community and have run out of money. You must have lived there at least 30 days and become newly eligible for Medicaid after you moved in. In September 2026, 395 of those slots were open.

The same kind of Medicaid waiver as PathWays, for adults 59 and younger with a disability. It and the PathWays waiver replaced the Aged and Disabled Waiver. It can pay for care in an approved assisted living community, in your own home, or in adult family care, as an alternative to a nursing home. It does not pay room and board in assisted living.

The waiver has a waiting list. As of September 2026, 6,920 people were waiting. FSSA invites people each month in the same order as PathWays and holds 100 slots for people who already live in assisted living and have run out of money.

A state-funded program that helps pay room, board, and laundry for people who cannot live at home because of age, mental illness, or a physical disability, but do not need nursing home care. It works only in licensed residential care facilities and county homes that have an RCAP contract with the state.

You pay the facility part of your own income, and RCAP pays the rest of the state's daily rate. If you have no income, RCAP pays the full rate. You keep a small amount each month for personal needs. People approved for RCAP also get full Medicaid coverage.

A state program, run by Indiana's 16 Area Agencies on Aging, that helps people stay in their own homes. It can pay for attendant care, homemaker help, home-delivered meals, adult day services, respite for family caregivers, an emergency call button, home changes, transportation, and case management. CHOICE pays only when Medicare, Medicaid, or other coverage does not.

There is no income limit. People with higher income or assets may pay part of the cost.

The federal health insurance program for people 65 and older. Part A covers hospital stays and a short period of skilled nursing care after a hospital stay. Part B covers doctor visits, outpatient care, and medical equipment. Medicare does not pay for assisted living rent or for help with daily tasks like bathing and dressing. In 2026, Part B costs $202.90 a month with a $283 yearly deductible, and the Part A hospital deductible is $1,736.

Plans sold by private insurers that replace Original Medicare. They must cover everything Original Medicare covers, and many add drug, dental, vision, or hearing coverage. Plans, costs, and doctor networks vary by county.

Drug plans that add prescription coverage to Original Medicare. Each plan has its own list of covered drugs and its own premium. Most Medicare Advantage plans already include drug coverage.

A federal program, also called the Part D Low-Income Subsidy, that pays most Part D premiums, deductibles, and drug copays. People who get Medicaid, SSI, or a Medicare Savings Program qualify automatically.

Indiana Medicaid programs that pay Medicare costs for people with limited income. The table below shows the monthly income limits in effect since March 1, 2026. Anyone in QMB, SLMB, or QI also qualifies for Extra Help.

Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) pays Part A and Part B premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance. Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) and Qualifying Individual (QI) pay the Part B premium. QI help is limited to the funds available each year. Qualified Disabled Worker (QDW) pays the Part A premium for people who lost premium-free Part A after going back to work.

Monthly income for retired workers, based on what you earned during your working years. You can spend it on anything, including assisted living. You need at least 40 work credits, which is about 10 years of work. Benefits can start at 62, and the monthly check is larger if you wait until full retirement age or later.

A monthly federal payment for people who are 65 or older, blind, or disabled and have very little income and savings. Getting SSI usually qualifies you for Medicaid as well.