Assisted Living in Kentucky

Kentucky's Medicaid program for people who are 65 or older, blind, or disabled. It pays for doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, and other medical services. It does not pay rent or meals in an assisted living community or personal care home.

If you get SSI or State Supplementation, you get Medicaid through that program. If not, the income limit for regular Medicaid is very low: $235 a month for one person. If your income is higher, you may still qualify through a spend down. This means you first have a set amount of medical bills, and then Medicaid pays. Kentucky counts this over three months at a time.

For nursing home care, or care at home through a Medicaid waiver, the income limit is $2,982 a month for one person in 2026. If your income is higher, you may still qualify by setting up a Qualifying Income Trust. You must also need nursing home level care. If your spouse stays at home, your spouse can keep up to $162,660 in assets.

A monthly cash payment from the state for people with low income who need help paying for a personal care home or family care home. It is Kentucky's supplement to SSI. The payment goes to you, and you use it to pay the home. Anyone who gets State Supplementation also gets Medicaid without a separate application, and Medicaid pays their Medicare Part B premium.

Kentucky sets a monthly standard for each place you can live. In 2026 it is $1,610 in a personal care home, $1,166 in a family care home, and $1,056 for caretaker services at home. Your payment is that standard minus your countable income. For example, a person in a personal care home with $994 a month in SSI gets $616 a month. From the payment, a personal care home resident keeps $60 a month for personal needs, and a family care home resident keeps $40.

The home must be licensed by the state. Assisted living communities are a separate license type in Kentucky, and State Supplementation does not pay them. People who live in a personal care home cannot get Medicaid waiver services. People in a family care home can, if the services do not overlap.

State Supplementation can also pay for caretaker services that help you stay in your own home, such as light housekeeping and help with medicines.

A Medicaid program for older adults and people with physical disabilities who need nursing home level care but want to stay in the community. It can pay for adult day health care, an attendant, home-delivered meals, respite for family caregivers, and small changes to your home. You can use an agency, hire your own workers, or both.

The waiver serves people in their own homes and apartments. It does not pay for care in an assisted living community, and people who live in a personal care home cannot get waiver services.

There is a waiting list. Your place on it is set by the date your completed application is received.

A state program that helps adults 60 and older who are at risk of going into a nursing home stay in their own homes. It can pay for case management, help with personal care and housework, home-delivered meals, chores, home repair, respite for family caregivers, and a home health aide.

The program is offered in every part of the state through the Area Agencies on Aging and Independent Living. Some areas have waiting lists, and not every service is offered everywhere.

A program that gives older adults all their care through one organization so they can keep living at home. It covers primary care, therapy, personal care, meals, social services, and more. Care may be given at the PACE center, at other health care sites, or in your home. Medicare, Medicaid, or private payment covers the cost.

PACE is only offered in some parts of Kentucky. The state's list of PACE organizations shows the counties each one serves.

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.

Kentucky Medicaid programs that pay Medicare costs for people with limited income. 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 cannot be combined with other Medicaid coverage.

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.