Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP)
Free, unbiased Medicare counseling in Louisiana. Trained counselors go through your costs and choices with you, and they don't sell plans.
Medicare and health costs
Louisiana Medicaid in Louisiana
Louisiana Medicaid covers people 65 and older in its aged, blind or disabled categories and can pay health costs Medicare doesn't, including nursing-home care and home and community-based services.
The income limit for older adults is close to the SSI amount, and Louisiana checks your bank and other assets electronically when you apply or renew. You can apply online, or call Medicaid Customer Service.
How to apply in Louisiana
- By phone
- 1-888-342-6207
Applying is free. Nobody should charge you to apply.
Apply on the official siteWho may qualify in Louisiana
| One person | Married couple | |
|---|---|---|
| Income limit (2026) | $994 a month (the SSI level, after $20 of income isn't counted) | $1,491 a month (the SSI level, after $20 of income isn't counted) Source: KFF (source 4) |
| Savings limit (2026) | $2,000 | $3,000 Source: KFF (source 4) |
| Spend-down if your income is over the limit | Yes: you may qualify if medical bills bring your income down to $100 a month for one person or $192 for a couple (2026), counted over three months Source: KFF (source 4) |
|---|---|
| Income limit for nursing-home or home-care Medicaid (2026) | $2,982 a month (300% of the SSI amount) Source: KFF (source 4) |
| Medicaid for adults under 65 (expansion) | Yes: the Adult Group covers adults with income up to $1,836 a month for one person (138% of the poverty level, from March 1, 2026) |
How Louisiana is different
Where Louisiana's rules differ from the federal rules for Medicaid for people with Medicare.
- Spend-down (medically needy) available for people over the income limit
Source: KFF (source 4)
Good to know
- If you're applying for or renewing aged, blind or disabled Medicaid, you (and your spouse) must agree to an electronic check of bank accounts and other assets. The consent form is due at application or your next renewal.
- After a member who got long-term care, home and community-based services or related hospital and drug services after age 55 dies, Louisiana must seek repayment from their estate. It can be waived in some hardship cases for the person's children.
Free help
Free help with this in Louisiana
Governor's Office of Elderly Affairs (GOEA)
Your local Area Agency on Aging can help with meals, rides, help at home, caregiver support and applying for benefits.
More help in Louisiana
Medicaid for older adults in another state
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
- Louisiana Department of Health, Long Term Care (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- Louisiana Department of Health, Medicare Savings Program (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- Louisiana Department of Health, Louisiana Medicaid Eligibility Manual, Z-200 Federal Poverty Income Guidelines (effective March 1, 2026) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- KFF, Medicaid Eligibility Levels for Older Adults and People with Disabilities (Non-MAGI) in 2026. Checked Oct 28, 2026.
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