For Case Managers · Waiver Staff · Families
The Elderly Waiver is how Minnesota Medicaid pays for assisted living and memory care for people 65+. See who qualifies and find providers by county.
About This Waiver
The Elderly Waiver (EW) is a Minnesota Medical Assistance waiver for people 65 and older who need nursing home level of care but choose to live in the community. Its most common use is customized living — services delivered in assisted living communities — along with memory care, adult foster care, adult day services, and in-home supports. For families, finding assisted living that accepts Elderly Waiver is often the deciding factor in a placement.
EW serves people age 65 or older who are eligible for Medical Assistance (or meet EW income guidelines), need nursing home level of care, and can live safely in the community with supports. Eligibility runs through a MnCHOICES assessment coordinated by the county, tribal nation, or managed care organization.
New to waivers? Read our guide to Minnesota waivers and how to apply.
Find Providers
Open a care type to browse licensed providers by county and see openings when providers update capacity.
Assisted living in Minnesota provides housing with personal care for seniors and adults who need help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, medication management, and meals. Facilities are licensed by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and range from smaller residential settings to larger communities. Capacity Track helps case managers and families compare licensed options by county and see openings when providers update capacity.
Adult foster care provides licensed residential support in family-home settings, typically serving one to four people. Caregivers live on-site or provide around-the-clock presence in a more personal environment than larger group homes. Homes are licensed by the Minnesota Department of Human Services. Capacity Track lists adult foster care by county and shows openings when providers update.
Choose the care type and county, describe the needs once, and we email every matching licensed provider that takes email inquiries. You get a list of the ones who reply. No names or medical details needed.
Free for case managers and families.
Common Questions
Many Minnesota assisted living communities contract to provide customized living under EW, but not all — and some limit the number of EW residents. Browse assisted living by county, then confirm EW acceptance and current openings when you inquire.
With a MnCHOICES assessment through the county or Tribal Nation. Most people on EW are enrolled in MSHO or MSC+ managed care, where the health plan’s care coordinator completes the assessment, authorizes customized living, and helps select a provider; on fee-for-service EW, the county case manager fills that role. Families can also call Minnesota Aging Pathways (formerly the Senior LinkAge Line) at 800-333-2433 for free long-term care options counseling.
Yes. EW can fund customized living services in memory care settings for people with dementia who meet nursing home level of care. Memory care under EW typically requires a dementia care unit or specialized programming.
EW pays for services: personal care, medication management, homemaking, adult day, and customized living service packages. It does not pay rent or room and board — those come from the resident’s income, sometimes with help from Housing Support (formerly GRH).
People 65 or older who need nursing home level of care and meet Medical Assistance financial eligibility. A MnCHOICES assessment through the county or health plan determines level of care.
Other Waivers
All Minnesota Waivers & Funding Programs · Medicaid Waivers in Other States