Long-Term Care Medicaid Attorneys Serving Lake Oswego & Portland
Worried about affording long-term care? We help Oregon families understand the rules, separate fact from rumor, and build a clear plan to qualify for Medicaid.
Navigating Oregon's Medicaid eligibility
Qualifying for Medicaid to cover long-term care can feel complex and overwhelming — especially the first time. The rules are intricate and widely misunderstood, which leads to frustration and, too often, unnecessary financial hardship for families. Our experienced Medicaid attorneys help you understand the rules, dispel the rumors, and develop a plan to meet eligibility.
How Medicaid qualification works for long-term care in Oregon
Eligibility for Medicaid to pay for all or part of your care — or a loved one's — comes down to three things, each with its own set of rules:
- Care need — a demonstrated need for help with activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (iADLs).
- Financial eligibility — the applicant's and spouse's income and resources, measured against the program's limits.
- A Medicaid-eligible care provider — care delivered by a provider that participates in the program.
Medicaid eligibility isn't cut and dry
Qualifying for long-term care Medicaid in Oregon is notas simple as checking an income or resource chart to see where you stand. Often, individuals and couples can work with a Medicaid attorney to adjust monthly income and resources to meet the requirements — even after being told by someone that they don't qualify financially.
That's why it's so important to talk with an experienced Medicaid attorney rather than rely on what you read online. Everyone deserves a knowledgeable advocate to guide them through these complexities. Rose Elder Law focuses on Medicaid planning, offering tailored solutions to help you understand your options and make the most of your eligibility — with the clarity and peace of mind you need during a stressful time.
2026 Oregon Medicaid basics
A few baseline guidelines to keep in mind:
- Residency & citizenship — the applicant must be an Oregon resident and a U.S. citizen or have proper immigration status.
- Age or disability — the applicant must be 65 or older, blind, or disabled with an SSA determination. Those with a “pending” determination may still qualify.
- Asset limitations (exempt vs. available) — Medicaid divides assets into exempt (accounted for but not applied to the resource limit) and available (anything not excluded that can reasonably be liquidated). A 5-year look-back applies, with penalties for selling assets below fair market value, transferring assets, or giving money or property away.
Figures are current as of 2026 and provided for general information only — not legal advice.
Medicaid planning for Lake Oswego & the greater Portland metro
Rose Elder Law is based in Lake Oswego and helps families throughout the greater Portland metro — including Portland, West Linn, Tigard, Beaverton, and Oregon City — plan for and qualify for long-term care Medicaid. We bring an education-first, no-pressure approach to every case — explaining your options in plain language so you can make confident decisions. The first ten minutes are always free.
Want to understand Medicaid before you need it?
Join our free “ABCs of Medicaid: How to Qualify for Long-Term Care” webinar.
Frequently Asked Questions About Medicaid
No. In Oregon, the income of an applicant's spouse is notcounted as the applicant's income. (Don't confuse this with resources, which are counted together.) “Income” means regular payments from a source — employment wages, alimony, pension payments, Social Security, or Social Security Disability Income.
No — Oregon protects the community (non-applicant) spouse from becoming impoverished. While a married couple's assets are considered jointly owned, the Community Spouse Resource Allowance (CSRA) lets the non-applicant spouse keep a meaningful share.
In 2026, the community spouse can retain 50% of the couple's countable assets, up to a maximum of $162,660 (certain assets, such as the primary vehicle, are excluded). If their half is under $32,532, they can keep 100% up to that amount.
Figures are current as of 2026 and are adjusted periodically — we'll confirm the numbers that apply to your situation.
Yes. Being over a limit doesn't automatically disqualify you. Using Medicaid-approved strategies — such as an Income Cap Trust (ICT)and careful, strategic spend-down — many Oregonians qualify even after being told they couldn't. This is exactly the kind of planning we do every day.
It's the most common fear we hear — and the reality is more nuanced than the rumor. While you (or your spouse or a dependent) live there, your home is generally an exempt assetand doesn't count against eligibility. After death, however, Oregon's Medicaid Estate Recovery Program may seek repayment from your estate. That's one of the biggest reasons to plan ahead with an attorney rather than wait for a crisis.
Oregon is an “income cap” state — if your monthly income is above the state's limit, you can't simply spend it down to qualify. An Income Cap Trust is a special trust that holds the excess income so you can still become eligible for long-term care Medicaid. Setting one up correctly matters, and we help families do it right.
We're Here Whenever You Need Us
If you have a question about whether we can help you, give us a call. We will determine whether we can help or if we might be able to refer you to someone who can.
Send a Message
Serving the Greater Portland Metro Area, OR
amber@roseelderlaw.com
Phone
971-865-3171
Open Hours
Mon–Thurs: 9AM – 5PM Friday: 9AM – 2PM
Address
5200 Meadows Rd., Ste 150 Lake Oswego, OR 97035