Rochester families need Chronic Care Medicaid from Monroe County Department of Human Services to pay for nursing-home-level memory care. Chronic Care Medicaid means state coverage for a resident in a nursing-home-type setting, not regular health insurance.
Families apply through the county, meet financial rules, and document care need. Dementia often brings safety risks that demand full-day supervision. This guide lists Rochester offices, 2026 money rules, housing limits, and free local help.
Medical information disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes only and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a physician or other qualified health professional about symptoms, medications, tests, or treatment decisions.
Official resources:
- Apply through Monroecounty’s official page — Use this page to review requirements and apply directly.
- Apply through Monroecounty’s official page — Use this page to review requirements and apply directly.
Table of Contents
- Where Do You Apply in Rochester?
- What Are the 2026 Income and Asset Limits?
- Why Does the Five-Year Review Matter for Dementia?
- Will Medicaid Pay for Memory Care in Assisted Living?
- Where Can You Get Free Local Help?
Where Do You Apply in Rochester?
Monroe County Department of Human Services runs Chronic Care Medicaid for nursing-home-type settings. Monroe County DHS points families to waiting rooms and a phone line on the county assistance page.
Monroe County DHS lists both offices as open 8 AM to 4 PM for walk-in applications Monday through Friday. The county sends Medicaid benefit questions to 585-753-2760.
- 111 Westfall Rd., Rochester 14620, waiting-room applications
- 691 St. Paul St., Rochester 14605, waiting-room applications
- (585) 753-6960, phone applications
- 8 AM to 4 PM Monday through Friday, walk-in hours
- 585-753-2760, Medicaid benefit questions
What Are the 2026 Income and Asset Limits?
New York sets income and asset caps for long-term-care Medicaid. Hancock Estabrook, citing the NYS Department of Health, reports 2026 allowances in the 2026 Medicaid limits summary. Under those state figures effective Jan.
1, 2026, a single applicant generally can have $1,836 monthly income and $33,038 countable assets. An applying couple generally can have $2,489 monthly income and $44,796 assets. Countable assets mean savings and property the state includes in its test. Use these caps as a screening check before you gather bank records.
Why Does the Five-Year Review Matter for Dementia?
New York reviews asset transfers before it pays for long-term nursing-home care. The NYS Department of Health applies a 60-month look-back to nursing-home requests, including rehabilitation stays over 29 days.
The review covers the 60 months before institutionalization plus the application period. Institutionalization means entry into nursing-home-type care. List every gift or transfer in that window and bring dates and amounts.
Will Medicaid Pay for Memory Care in Assisted Living?
New York's Assisted Living Program (ALP) is the Medicaid path in approved adult homes and enriched housing. The NYS Department of Health says ALP pays for personal care, aides, nursing, therapies, supplies, and registered-nurse (RN) case management.
It covers only residents who need nursing-home-level care, as explained in the state ALP description. Milvidskiy Law Group, updated in 2026, notes Medicaid pays ALP care services only in limited participating beds and never pays room-and-board. Ask each facility about its payment policy before you tour.
Where Can You Get Free Local Help?
Adults seeking community-based services through a Managed Long Term Care plan need a prior assessment. A Managed Long Term Care plan means a health plan that coordinates home aides and services. According to the New York Independent Assessor Program, families start at 1-855-222-8350 (TTY 1-888-329-1541).
Monroe County directs families to NY Connects at Lifespan for free long-term-care information. According to NY Connects and Monroe County Office for the Aging, the office sits at 1900 South Clinton Ave., Rochester 14618. Call (585) 325-2800 before you apply to review care options.
