Paying for assisted living in Louisiana
Most Louisiana families pay for assisted living out of pocket at first, usually from a mix of savings, monthly income (such as Social Security or a pension), the proceeds of selling a home, or a long-term care insurance policy. Costs vary widely depending on the parish, the size of the apartment, and how much daily help a resident needs. You can see current price ranges for specific areas in the pricing tables below.
In Louisiana, assisted living communities are licensed as Adult Residential Care Providers (ARCPs), and the monthly fee typically bundles housing, meals, and personal-care services.
Does Louisiana Medicaid (Community Choices Waiver) cover assisted living in Louisiana?
No. Louisiana Medicaid does not pay for room and board in assisted living, and it has no program that pays for ongoing care there either. You pay for both the housing and the care yourself, from income, savings, or the other options listed below.
The main Medicaid program for older adults is the Community Choices Waiver (CCW), run by the Office of Aging and Adult Services. It pays for personal care, adult day health care, home-delivered meals, nursing, and other help so people can stay in their own homes instead of moving to a nursing home. The only care it pays for in an assisted living community is a short overnight respite stay that gives a family caregiver a break. Louisiana's other in-home care benefit, Long Term-Personal Care Services, is not provided while someone lives in a setting that already gives help with daily tasks.
The CCW also has a long waiting list, called the Request for Services Registry. In December 2025, 11,828 people were on it, so applying early matters.
To qualify, a person must:
- Be 65 or older, or 21 or older with a disability
- Need the level of care a nursing home provides
- Meet Louisiana Medicaid's long-term care limits. In 2026, a single person can have monthly income up to $2,982 and assets up to $2,000. People with higher income may still qualify through a spend-down
To get on the registry, call Louisiana Options in Long-Term Care at 1-877-456-1146. Apply for Medicaid online through the Medicaid Self-Service Portal or by phone at 1-888-342-6207. The sections below list every limit and how to apply.
Does Medicare cover assisted living in Louisiana?
No. Medicare does not pay for assisted living room and board or for ongoing custodial care (help with bathing, dressing, and other daily activities), which is the heart of what assisted living provides.
Medicare may still cover medical services a resident receives while living there, such as doctor visits, hospital stays, and a limited period of skilled care or rehabilitation after a qualifying hospital stay.
For free, unbiased help comparing Medicare plans and benefits, contact Louisiana's State Health Insurance Assistance Program, the Louisiana Senior Health Information Program (LaSHIP), run by the Louisiana Department of Insurance at 1-800-259-5300.
