Paying for assisted living in Indiana
Most Indiana families pay for assisted living out of pocket at first, usually from savings, retirement income, the sale of a home, or a long-term care insurance policy. Costs vary widely depending on the community, the region of the state, and how much help a resident needs day to day. You can see current pricing for communities in the pricing tables below.
It helps to plan ahead. Private funds often cover the early years, and public programs may help later if care needs grow and money runs low. Below is how Indiana's Medicaid and Medicare fit in.
Does Indiana PathWays for Aging cover assisted living in Indiana?
Indiana's Medicaid program can help pay for the care delivered in an assisted living community, but it never pays for room and board (rent and meals) — those remain the resident's responsibility.
For adults 60 and older, Indiana now offers help through the Indiana PathWays for Aging program and its Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver. (On July 1, 2024, the older Aged & Disabled Waiver split into PathWays for those 60+ and the Health & Wellness Waiver for those 59 and under.) These waivers can cover services like personal care, attendant care, and other supports in an approved assisted living setting as an alternative to a nursing facility.
To qualify, a person generally must:
- Meet the financial limits for income and assets set by Indiana Medicaid
- Need a nursing-facility level of care
- Receive services from a Medicaid-approved provider
Waiver slots are limited, so a waiting list is common. You apply for Medicaid through the state and can work with your local Area Agency on Aging to start a waiver assessment.
Does Medicare cover assisted living in Indiana?
No. Medicare does not pay for assisted living room and board or for ongoing custodial (personal) care, which is the main kind of help assisted living provides.
Medicare may still cover related medical needs, such as:
- A short, medically necessary stay in a skilled nursing facility after a qualifying hospital stay
- Doctor visits, hospital care, and prescription drugs
- Medicare-covered home health or hospice services when you qualify
For free, unbiased help understanding what Medicare does and doesn't cover, contact Indiana's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) at 1-800-452-4800.
