How much does the patient pay to a Medicaid Nursing Facility?
In general, all of the patient’s monthly income, except for $35 for personal needs, must be paid to the nursing facility for the patient’s care. This includes any funds deposited into a qualified income trust. The payment to the facility is called the “patient responsibility”. In some cases, All or part of the patient’s income may be set-aside for the spouse and/or dependents, reducing the amount the individual must pay to the nursing facility each month. See the next section, “Special ICP Policies That Apply to Spouses” for more information. Some veterans receiving certain VA pensions may be allowed to keep more of their income. The eligibility worker calculates the patient responsibility amount. Some individuals may be entitled to an Uncovered Medical Expense Deduction. Refer to SSI Factsheet for further information.
