Idaho Medicaid Long-Term Care Eligibility for 2025

Idaho Long-Term Care

Idaho’s Medicaid program provides critical long-term care support for seniors who meet strict financial and medical eligibility criteria. As an income-cap state, Idaho requires applicants to meet a specific income threshold to qualify. Those exceeding the limit may establish a Qualified Income Trust (QIT) to gain eligibility. Senior Planning can assist families in creating QITs and navigating the Medicaid application process to ensure compliance and avoid unnecessary delays.

Eligibility in 2025

To qualify for Idaho Medicaid long-term care, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Residency and Citizenship: Applicants must be Idaho residents and either U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents with proper immigration status.
Age/Disability: Applicants must be 65 years or older, blind, or disabled, and meet medical requirements for the level of care needed.
Income Limitations: Single applicants must not exceed an income of $3,021/month. Excess income can be placed into a Qualified Income Trust (QIT) to qualify.
Asset Limitations: Countable assets must not exceed $2,000 for individuals or $4,000 for married couples.

Senior Planning provides expert assistance to help applicants determine their eligibility and prepare the necessary documentation, reducing the risk of application denials or delays.

Exempt Assets for 2025

Idaho Medicaid divides assets into exempt and countable categories. Exempt assets are not considered when determining eligibility, while countable assets must be liquidated and applied to care costs.

One home: Exempt if the equity value is under $788,000 and the applicant intends to return or if a spouse, child under 21, or disabled dependent resides there.
One vehicle: Exempt if used for medical transport, employment, or is the primary vehicle of the community spouse.
Personal effects, household goods, and burial contracts: Irrevocable prepaid burial contracts and burial spaces are exempt.
Look-Back Period: Idaho enforces a 60-month look-back rule to penalize asset transfers below market value.

Understanding which assets are exempt can be complex. Senior Planning offers free consultations to help families navigate these rules and protect their assets where possible.

Spousal Rules for 2025

Community Spouse Asset Allowance: The community spouse may retain up to $152,020 in resources, with a minimum threshold of $30,027.

Community Spouse Income Protection: The community spouse may retain income below $2,389/month, with a maximum allowance of $3,898.50/month for high living expenses. Senior Planning helps families optimize these allowances to meet their financial needs while ensuring eligibility.

Idaho Long-Term Care Insurance Partnership in 2025

This program allows policyholders to protect assets dollar-for-dollar based on the benefits paid by their policy. For example, a policy with a $165,000 payout protects $165,000 in assets when applying for Medicaid. Separate policies are required for married couples to qualify individually. Senior Planning can guide families on how to leverage these policies for maximum asset protection.

How to Apply for Idaho Medicaid

Applicants can apply for Idaho Medicaid online through the Idalink portal or by contacting the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. Senior Planning offers professional assistance to ensure applications are accurate and complete, minimizing delays and improving approval rates. Contact us today to get started.