Maine Medicaid Long Term Care Eligibility 2025
Maine Long Term Care
Eligibility in 2025:

1. Residency and Citizenship – the applicant must be a resident of Maine and a U.S. citizen or have proper immigration status.
2. Age/Disability – the applicant must be age 65 or older, or blind, or disabled. The applicant must meet certain medical requirements consistent with the level of care requested. The MED (Medical Eligibility Determination) form is filled out by a nurse to review the applicant’s abilities and disabilities. After completion, the nurse determines if the applicant meets the medical requirements for long-term care services and whether they are financially eligible for MaineCare. The application must be sent to the Office of Family Independence once eligibility is confirmed.
3. Income Limitations – the applicant’s income (wages, Social Security benefits, pensions, veteran’s benefits, annuities, SSI payments, IRAs, etc.) must be less than $2,901 per month. Excess income can still qualify for Medicaid coverage if it is placed into a Qualifying Income Trust (QIT), which must be irrevocable with Maine Medicaid as the designated recipient after the beneficiary’s death. Only income exceeding $2,901 must be placed in the trust. Personal needs allowances are $70/month for assisted living and $40/month for nursing home care.
4. Asset Limitations (Exempt vs. Available) – Medicaid divides assets into two categories: Exempt and Available. Exempt assets do not impact eligibility, while available assets must be liquidated to pay for care costs before Medicaid benefits can begin. Maine has a 5-year look-back period with penalties for transferring assets below fair market value.

Exempt Assets in 2025 for an applicant in Maine include:
i. $10,000 or less in cash/non-exempt assets if single. Maine allows $8,000 in liquid assets beyond the national average maximum of $2,000.
ii. Personal effects and household goods.
iii. One home (equity value limited to $750,000) is exempt if planning to return home within six months, a spouse, a child under 21, or a disabled person resides in it. The house can be transferred with no penalty to the spouse or qualified individuals under Medicaid rules.
iv. One motor vehicle used for medical treatment, employment, disability modifications, or as the primary vehicle of the community spouse.
v. Burial spaces and irrevocable pre-paid burial trusts up to $18,000.
vi. Actuarially sound annuities are considered exempt.
Spousal Rules in 2025:
The community spouse can retain up to $157,920 of the couple’s non-exempt assets. Community spouse income protection allows a minimum monthly income of $2,555, with adjustments for high shelter expenses, up to $3,948 per month.
Maine Long-Term Care Insurance Partnership in 2025:
The Maine Long-Term Care Insurance Partnership protects assets dollar-for-dollar based on the value of the insurance payout. Each spouse must purchase their own policy for protection. After the policy benefits are exhausted, Medicaid eligibility applies with equivalent assets exempted.
Further Reading:
Maine Department of Health and Human Services: http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/programs.shtml#longtermcare
MaineCare Site: http://www.benefits.gov/benefits/benefit-details/1630