Quick answer
MO HealthNet is Missouri's Medicaid program. It covers nursing home care for seniors who qualify. Through the Aged and Disabled Waiver it also pays for in-home services, homemaker and chore help, respite, adult day care and home-delivered meals. It does not pay room and board in assisted living. Call the waiver referral team at 866-835-3505 to start the process.
MO HealthNet Medicaid overview
- Medicaid in Missouri
- Called MO HealthNet. It covers nursing home care for people who qualify financially. Through the Aged and Disabled Waiver it can also pay for help at home, homemaker and chore services, respite, adult day care, home-delivered meals, for Missourians generally 65 or older (or 63 to 64 with certain disabilities) who meet a nursing-facility level of care. It does not pay the monthly rent in assisted living.
- Who qualifies
- A nursing-facility level of care on the state's assessment, Missouri residency, and MO HealthNet financial eligibility handled through the Department of Social Services. Spouses who stay at home have protections.
- Where to start
- The state's Home and Community-Based referral team at 866-835-3505, or the Mid-America Regional Council's Aging and Adult Services (marc.org/aging), the Area Agency on Aging for Jackson, Clay, Platte, Cass and Ray counties. For planning questions, talk to a Missouri elder law attorney. We don't give legal or Medicaid-planning advice.
- Veterans
- VA Aid and Attendance pension. For wartime-era veterans and surviving spouses who meet VA's service, need and financial rules, it can add well over a thousand dollars a month, VA lists the maximum at $2,424 a month for a veteran alone and $2,874 with one dependent (rates effective December 1, 2025). We explain what the benefit is; we never file claims or charge for claims help. Free, accredited help filing: the Kansas Office of Veterans Services (kovs.ks.gov) or a veterans service organization.
- Medicare
- Does not pay for assisted living or long-term care. It covers short rehab stays after a qualifying hospital stay and some home health under conditions.
What senior care costs in Missouri
Missouri's care costs run a bit below Kansas's. These are the 2025 medians:
| Type of care | Typical monthly cost (state median) | What moves the number |
|---|---|---|
| Care at home, 44 hours a week | $6,292 a month | Hours per week; the published hourly median is $33 |
| Assisted living | $5,400 a month | Base rent plus a care level sized to need; bigger apartments cost more |
| Adult day care | $2,058 a month | Days attended per week |
| Nursing home, semi-private | $6,741 a month | Room type; private rooms cost more |
| Memory care | Quoted separately | Ask each community for the all-in monthly rate, not the starting rate |
Source: Genworth/CareScout Cost of Care Survey, 2025 (Missouri state medians), survey year 2025. Medians, not quotes, every community prices differently.
Not sure which programs fit?
Call us at (800) 614-8388. We will listen to your situation and walk through the options that might work — Medicaid, VA benefits, Medicare, or a mix. There is no charge, and we never sell or share your information without your permission.