Louisiana Adult Day Health Care (ADHC) Waiver
The Adult Day Health Care (ADHC) Waiver is a Louisiana Medicaid waiver that pays for attendance at a licensed adult day health care center, plus support coordination, for people who need a nursing facility level of care and live at home. It sits alongside our Louisiana Long-Term Care Medicaid guide, which covers the nursing home rules.
Figures change periodically. Double-check current amounts before relying on them.
At a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Type of program | Medicaid adult day health benefit |
| Who runs it | Louisiana Department of Health, Office of Aging and Adult Services (OAAS) |
| Age | 65 and older, or 22 to 64 with a physical disability |
| Care need | Needs a nursing facility level of care |
| Louisiana 2026 income rule (long-term care) | $2,982 a month (special income level) |
| Louisiana 2026 asset limit (single applicant) | $2,000 |
| Waiting list | Yes. A Request for Services Registry |
The ADHC Waiver in brief
Put simply, responsibility for the ADHC Waiver sits with Louisiana Department of Health, Office of Aging and Adult Services (OAAS). Its target group is 65 and older, or 22 to 64 with a physical disability; on care need, the rule is: Needs a nursing facility level of care. On waiting lists, the current picture is: Yes. A Request for Services Registry. Each of these points is covered in more depth below, alongside the general Louisiana rules from our state guide. Other Louisiana programs, and general guides on care at home, are linked at the end of this page for comparison with the ADHC Waiver.
What the program is
OAAS runs the ADHC Waiver. Like the CCW, it is offered from a Request for Services Registry. Participants attend an ADHC center for a set number of hours a day, where they receive health monitoring, meals, personal care and activities, and return home in the evening.
The ADHC Waiver is a licensed daytime program; participants come in on set days and return home each evening. Unlike a social day program, it includes health services such as nursing oversight, medication help and therapy, along with meals, activities and supervision. For family caregivers who work during the day, it can make the difference between keeping a parent at home and needing a nursing home. See Adult day care.
Who qualifies in 2026
In Louisiana, the basic requirements for the ADHC Waiver are that the person:
- Is 65 or older, or 22 to 64 with a physical disability
- Needs a nursing facility level of care
- Qualifies for full Medicaid under Louisiana’s long-term care financial rules (see the money test below)
- Lives in Louisiana and is a U.S. citizen or qualified non-citizen
- Has been offered an ADHC Waiver slot
Income and assets. Applicants for the ADHC Waiver must meet Louisiana’s long-term care Medicaid financial rules. The income and asset figures in the table above are Louisiana’s 2026 Long-Term Care Medicaid figures from our state guide. Exempt items generally include the home within the equity cap, a car, household goods and a modest burial fund. When one spouse applies for the ADHC Waiver and the other stays at home, the spouse at home keeps a protected share of the couple’s assets and may receive part of the applicant’s income. See Spousal impoverishment rules.
How the care assessment works. The care test looks at how much help a person needs with everyday activities such as bathing, dressing, eating, using the toilet, moving around and taking medicines, and at memory problems and supervision needs. A nurse or social worker working with the Louisiana Department of Health usually does it in person, wherever the person is living. Families should describe the worst days honestly and bring a list of conditions and medicines. See Nursing home level of care and Activities of daily living.
What services it can pay for
The plan of care decides which services are used. The ADHC Waiver can cover:
- Adult day health care center services
- Health monitoring and nursing oversight
- Personal care at the center
- Meals
- Transportation to and from the center
- Support coordination
- Transition services
The menu is broad, but the plan is built from need, and unpaid family help is factored in. If needs change, ask for a new assessment.
How to apply
Applying usually involves two decisions: one about money (financial eligibility for Medicaid) and one about care needs. In plain terms, the steps are:
- Ask to be placed on the ADHC Waiver Request for Services Registry.
- Visit ADHC centers in your area.
- When offered a slot, complete the assessment and Medicaid application.
- Start attending under a plan of care.
Before contacting the Louisiana Department of Health, see Applying for a waiver and the documents checklist for what to gather.
Waiting lists
The ADHC Waiver uses a registry. Offers are made by priority and date of request.
See Waiver waiting lists for general tips.
How it relates to nursing home Medicaid
The ADHC Waiver uses the same level of care and financial rules as nursing home Medicaid.
Where the nursing home rules still apply. As in nearly every state, Louisiana’s financial rules for home and community programs follow its nursing home rules closely. The five-year look-back for gifts generally applies, so a gift or transfer for less than fair value can cause a period when Medicaid will not pay for long-term care services. Estate recovery also applies: the state can seek repayment from the estate of a person who received long-term care services after age 55. People who keep income above a set allowance may have to pay part of it toward their care each month.
If a nursing home becomes necessary. A Louisiana nursing home resident keeps a 2026 personal needs allowance of $45 a month, and most other income goes to the facility. The state guide explains the nursing home side.
Tips for families
- Do not wait for a crisis. Lists and assessments for the ADHC Waiver take time, and the start date is usually when you first request help.
- Keep a paper trail: copies of forms and notices, plus the names and dates of every call to the Louisiana Department of Health.
- Read every notice. If services are denied, cut or ended, the notice explains how to request a fair hearing and the deadline. Requesting one before the deadline often keeps services in place during the appeal.
- Report changes promptly, including income, assets, a move or a new living arrangement.
- Plan for renewals. Medicaid and the care assessment are both renewed, usually once a year. See Renewals.
- Get help with complex the ADHC Waiver cases, such as a spouse at home or past gifts. A certified Medicaid planner or a legal aid office can review how Louisiana’s rules fit a family’s situation.
Common questions
Can I be on both the CCW and ADHC registries? Yes. You can request more than one waiver.
Is transportation included? ADHC centers typically provide transportation.
How many days? Attendance is set by the plan of care.
Related pages
- Louisiana Long-Term Care Medicaid guide
- Louisiana Community Choices Waiver
- Adult day care
- Three kinds of Long-Term Care Medicaid
- PACE programs
Last updated for 2026. General information only, not legal or financial advice. Medicaid Answers is a free educational resource published by Medicaid Answers Foundation.