Authorizations
How to Become a Medicaid Provider for Home Care
To bill Medicaid for home care you need a state license, a Type 2 NPI, state Medicaid enrollment and screening, waiver or managed care contracts, EVV and authorizations.
What are the Medicaid income and asset limits for home care in California?
Last verified October 17, 2026 · All California resources
In California, the asset limit is $130,000 single. California brought back a Medi-Cal asset limit on January 1, 2026 for people 65 and older, people with disabilities and nursing home residents. Through June 30, 2027 the limit is $130,000 for one person plus $65,000 for each additional household member, and it drops to $21,000 for one person ($31,000 for two) on July 1, 2027. The home you live in and one vehicle don't count. For nursing home care, Medi-Cal looks back 30 months for assets given away, but only counts transfers made on or after January 1, 2026.
| Program | Medi-Cal long-term care (nursing facility), plus home and community-based options such as In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS), the Assisted Living Waiver and the Home and Community-Based Alternatives Waiver |
|---|---|
| How income is counted | other: no fixed income cap for long-term care; people above the free-Medi-Cal income level can qualify with a monthly share of cost (medically needy) |
| Qualified income (Miller) trust used | No |
| Asset limit (single) | $130,000 single (January 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027; drops to $21,000 on July 1, 2027) |
| Asset limit (couple, both applying) | $195,000 for two people ($130,000 plus $65,000 per extra household member) through June 30, 2027; $31,000 from July 1, 2027 |
| Look-back period | 30 months (nursing home transfers; transfers made before January 1, 2026 are not counted) |
What if a married applicant's spouse stays at home?
Federal spousal impoverishment rules protect part of the couple's income and assets for the spouse who stays home. For 2026 the community spouse can keep between $32,532 and $162,660 in assets, depending on the state.
Which programs pay for care at home?
Once someone is financially eligible, home care is usually paid through a waiver or state plan program. See the California Medicaid waivers that pay for home care.
How to apply in California (California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), with county social services offices determining eligibility)
What should you confirm with the state?
California has no single income cap for long-term care Medi-Cal; ask your county office how share of cost and the spousal impoverishment rules apply to you.
Sources
More for California
Medicaid eligibility by state: other states
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Operations
Private Pay vs. Medicaid: Choosing Your Agency's Payer Mix
Private pay means higher rates and fast payment; Medicaid means steady volume at state-set rates with authorizations and EVV. Compare rates, cash timing and admin before you mix them.
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