Assisted Living in Maryland

Maryland's Medicaid program (also called Medical Assistance) for people who are 65 or older, blind, or disabled. It pays for doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, and other medical care. It does not pay assisted living rent or meals. For care in assisted living, you also need the Community Options Waiver, listed next.

If you get SSI, you already have Medicaid and do not need to apply. The limits in the table below took effect February 1, 2026. If your income is higher, you may still qualify once your medical bills use up the amount over the limit. This is called a spend-down.

The waiver and nursing home care use higher income limits, based on the SSI benefit, and an asset limit of $2,000 or $2,500. If your spouse stays at home while you get long-term care, your spouse can keep between $32,532 and $162,660 of the couple's assets in 2026, plus some of your income.

A Maryland Medicaid program for adults who need nursing home level care but can live safely in the community, including in assisted living. In a licensed assisted living program that takes part in the waiver, Medicaid pays the home for help with daily tasks, 24-hour supervision, help with medicines, housekeeping, meal preparation, and activities. You also get case management and all regular Medicaid benefits.

The waiver does not pay room and board. You pay the home your room and board charge and part of your income toward your care. Medicaid lets you keep a personal needs allowance plus the home's room and board charge, up to $420 a month, and the rest of your income goes toward your care. Since July 1, 2024, the waiver pays a home up to $90.74 a day for Level II assisted living care and up to $114.51 a day for Level III care.

There is a wait. Instead of a waitlist, Maryland keeps a registry. On June 30, 2025, 23,461 people were on it, and 16,277 of them were 65 or older. The state mails about 700 invitations to apply each month. Most go to people at the highest risk of needing a nursing home, based on a screening by Maryland Access Point.

A Maryland Medicaid program for nursing home residents whose income is too high for the Community Options Waiver. It offers the same kind of services, including assisted living services, so you can move out of the nursing home and into the community.

You pay a monthly fee toward your care. The fee is the part of your income above 300% of the SSI benefit.

A monthly state payment that helps people with low income pay for care in a licensed assisted living program or a CARE home (Certified Adult Residential Environment, also called Project Home). Anyone who gets it also gets Medicaid.

The most PAA counts for assisted living care is $858 a month. You also keep an $82 monthly allowance for personal needs. Your payment covers the part of these amounts that your own countable income does not. These amounts have not changed since January 1, 2009.

A state-funded program from the Maryland Department of Aging for older adults who do not qualify for Medicaid, or who are waiting for a Medicaid waiver. It can pay part of your monthly assisted living fee. It can also pay for case management and help at home, such as personal care, meals, adult day care, and respite for caregivers.

SOAR started July 1, 2026. It replaced three older programs, including the Senior Assisted Living Subsidy. Help depends on the state money available each year. Montgomery County, for example, puts eligible people on a waiting list when funds run short.

A Maryland Medicaid benefit for people who need the level of care a nursing home provides but live in the community. It pays for a personal assistant to help with daily tasks, nurse monitoring, home-delivered meals, an emergency call button, home changes and equipment, and help planning your supports.

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.

Maryland Medicaid programs, also called Medicare Buy-In, 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, copayments, and coinsurance. Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) and Qualifying Individual (QI) pay the Part B premium. Qualified Disabled and Working Individual (QDWI) pays the Part A premium for people with disabilities who 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.