Local Ties Senior Advisors · Tom McCahan · Call or text (971) 610-0047 · localtiespdx.com
Does Oregon Medicaid pay for assisted living?
Yes. Oregon Medicaid can pay for the care in assisted living, memory care, residential care and adult foster homes. Your family member pays room and board out of their own income, at an amount the state sets. The hard part isn't whether Medicaid pays. It's finding a place that will take it.
Updated October 2026 · Tom McCahan, registered Oregon long-term care referral agent #2443
Low income, few assets, and needing help.
Medicaid for long-term care is for someone with low income and few assets who needs help with daily care, like bathing, dressing, moving around or managing medications. The state does an assessment to decide the level of care.
Oregon sets income and asset limits every year, looks back five years at money that was given away, and has protections for a spouse who stays at home. Get this year's numbers from your local office before you move any money.
Medicaid pays for the care. Income pays for the room.
In assisted living or a foster home, Medicaid pays the care part. Your family member pays room and board from their own income, like Social Security or a pension, at an amount the state sets. They keep a small amount each month for personal needs.
Most say yes. Ask how.
In the state's 2024 surveys, 77% of assisted living buildings and 83% of adult foster homes said they take Medicaid.
But a lot of places mean after one or two years of private pay. If the money runs out before then, your family member may have to move. Ask every place: will you keep my family member if they go on Medicaid, and after how long? Get it in writing.
Memory care in an assisted living building is the hardest to find on Medicaid, because the state's rate is furthest below private pay. Adult foster homes are often where Medicaid goes furthest.
Medicaid pending.
Applying takes time, often weeks. Some places will take someone whose application is in. Many won't. That's worth knowing before a hospital discharge, not after.
The free help is good. Use it.
- Aging and Disability Resource Connection of Oregon: 1-855-673-2372 (1-855-ORE-ADRC).
- Your local Aging and People with Disabilities office or Area Agency on Aging: they take the application and help with it, at no cost.
Where I come in is finding the places that will really take Medicaid and can meet the care needs. For moving money or protecting a house, talk to an elder law attorney. More on paying for care →
Want the real numbers for places near you?
Call or text. The call is free, about 20 minutes, and I'll tell you what I know about the places in your area.