Getting Help With Long-Term Care Medicaid

Getting Help With Long-Term Care Medicaid

No family should have to figure out Long-Term Care Medicaid alone. Help is available from public agencies at no cost, from free legal aid programs for people who qualify, and from experienced professionals who charge for their time. This section explains what each kind of help can and cannot do, how to work well with a caseworker, and what to ask before paying anyone. We do not refer families to particular firms or individuals; instead we explain the types of help available so you can choose wisely.

Figures change periodically. Double-check current amounts before relying on them.

The short version

  • Free public help comes from the state Medicaid agency, Area Agencies on Aging, Aging and Disability Resource Centers, the free Medicare counseling program in each state (SHIP), and the long-term care ombudsman program. They explain programs and paperwork but generally do not give planning advice.
  • Free legal aid programs help people with low income with denials, appeals and some other Medicaid problems.
  • Paid professional help ranges from help filing an application (about $500 to $6,000) to full planning (about $2,500 to $15,000 or more), with hourly rates of about $150 to $600.
  • Ask questions before paying anyone, and get the agreement in writing.

Guides in this section

When experienced help matters most

Many families can file a simple application themselves with help from the agency. Experienced help matters most when there is a spouse at home, gifts or transfers in the past five years, a home or business, a trust or annuity, income over the state’s cap, a pending denial or hearing, or a crisis such as an imminent nursing home discharge. In those situations, a Certified Medicaid Planner, a professional who has passed an exam on Medicaid rules and must keep up with continuing education, can help a family understand its options before filing.

Last updated for 2026. General information only, not legal or financial advice. Medicaid Answers is a free educational resource published by Medicaid Answers Foundation.

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