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?
Medicaid never pays for room and board in assisted living anywhere, and Louisiana is no exception. What Medicaid can do is help cover the care portion through home- and community-based waiver programs.
The main program for older adults is the Community Choices Waiver (CCW), run by the Office of Aging and Adult Services. It funds supports such as personal care, in-home help, adult day health care, and home-delivered meals so people can avoid nursing-home placement. Coverage of services in a licensed assisted living setting is limited, and the CCW operates a waiting list (registry), so applying early matters.
To qualify, a person generally must:
- Meet Louisiana's financial limits for long-term-care Medicaid (income and assets)
- Meet a nursing-facility level-of-care need
- Be 65 or older, or an adult with a qualifying disability
To get on the registry, call Louisiana Options in Long-Term Care at 1-877-456-1146, or apply for Medicaid first at MyMedicaid.la.gov or 1-888-342-6207.
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 Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP), run by the Louisiana Department of Insurance at 1-800-259-5300.
