Choosing a Medicaid-Accepting Nursing Home in Texas

Key Tips, Eligibility Rules & Questions to Ask (2025 Guide)

Finding the right nursing home for a loved one is never easy—especially when Medicaid is part of the equation. In Texas, Medicaid can pay for long-term nursing home care, but eligibility rules are strict and the application process can be confusing. Here’s a quick guide from Golle Law, your Texas Medicaid planning resource.

Texas Medicaid Nursing Home Eligibility (2025)

Basic Medicaid Requirements (Note: Golle Law can help you meet these requirements even if you think you might not qualify):

• Age or Disability: Must be 65+ or meet Social Security disability standards, and require a “nursing facility level of care.”

• Residency: Must be a Texas resident and a U.S. citizen or qualified immigrant.

• Income Limit: Up to $2,901/month for individuals ($5,802 for couples). If income is over the cap, a Qualified Income Trust (Miller Trust) can protect eligibility.

• Asset Limit:

  • Individuals: $2,000 in countable assets.

  • Married couples: Non-applicant spouse may keep up to $157,920 (the Community Spouse Resource Allowance, or CSRA).

  • The home (up to $730,000 in equity), one vehicle, and personal items are generally exempt.

• Application Timeframe: Expect 45–90 days for processing. Early planning with Eric J. Golle a Texas Medicaid and elder law attorney can help avoid costly mistakes.

How to Research Nursing Homes That Accept Medicaid

1. Check Certification: Use Medicare.gov’s Care Compare to confirm that a facility is Medicaid-certified. Most of Texas’s 1,200+ nursing homes participate.

2. Ask for Referrals: Talk with doctors, social workers, or your local HHSC ombudsman.

3. Shortlist & Visit: Choose 3–5 facilities to tour in person—preferably more than once and sometimes unannounced.

What to Look for During a Visit

Positive signs:Clean, odor-free environment • Respectful, consistent staff • Happy, well-groomed residents • Tasty meals and engaging activities • Dementia care or therapy programs.

Red flags:Unhappy residents • Rushed or overworked staff • Odors or safety issues • Unresolved complaints.

Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Facility

Staff & Care

• What is the staff-to-resident ratio?

• Who develops and updates care plans?

• What medical services are available on-site?

Daily Life

• What activities and outings are offered?

• Can residents choose their schedules or doctors?

Finances & Medicaid

• What exactly does Texas Medicaid cover here?

• Are there extra charges beyond the $75 personal needs allowance?

• What happens if eligibility or coverage changes?

Policies & Safety

• May I see the most recent state inspection report?

• How are grievances handled?

• What are your visitation rules?

Final Tips from Texas Medicaid Lawyer Eric J. Golle

Trust your instincts—and involve your loved one in the decision when possible. The HHSC Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program offers free help if you have concerns about a facility.

With good research and the right questions, you can find a compassionate, Medicaid-approved nursing home in Texas that provides dignity and quality care.

If you need help qualifying for Medicaid or creating a Miller Trust, contact Golle Law for expert guidance on Texas Medicaid crisis planning and nursing home eligibility.

📞 Call 214-764-7432 to schedule a consultation.

·        Texas Medicaid nursing home eligibility

·        Medicaid nursing homes in Texas

·        Miller Trust Texas

·        Medicaid planning attorney Texas

·        Nursing home Medicaid coverage Texas

·        Community Spouse Resource Allowance Texas

·        Medicaid crisis planning Texas

#MedicaidPlanning #TexasLaw #ElderCare