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Managed Long Term Care (MLTC) for Dual-Eligibles, Explained

Managed Long Term Care (MLTC) is New York's system for Medicare/Medicaid dual-eligibles, mandatory in Nassau and Suffolk since 2013.

HomeState RulesManaged Long Term Care (MLTC) for Dual-Eligibles, Ex
Short answer

New York's dual-eligible (Medicare and Medicaid) long-term-care delivery system is Managed Long Term Care (MLTC), which has two lines of business relevant to seniors: standard MLTC/Medicaid Advantage Plus plans, and PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) for members age 55 and older.

What MLTC coordinates

MLTC plans coordinate long-term services and supports -- home care, adult day care, nursing home care and ancillary/ambulatory services -- for enrollees who need nursing-home-level care but can remain in the community. PACE additionally combines Medicare and Medicaid financing under one plan for members 55 and older.

Is it mandatory here?

Yes. Mandatory MLTC enrollment has applied in Nassau and Suffolk counties since the transition period that began in 2013, for Medicaid recipients aged 21+ who need community-based long-term care for more than 120 days.

MLTC also carries a Long Island-specific detail worth knowing: the “special income standard for housing expenses” available to certain MLTC enrollees is $1,701 for the Long Island region, a different figure than in NYC or upstate regions.

Source: NYSDOH Managed Long Term Care overview

Questions families ask

Is memory care a licensed category in New York, or just a marketing term?

New York does not have a separate memory care license. Dementia and cognitive-impairment care is addressed through the Special Needs Assisted Living Residence (SNALR) certification, an additional certification layered onto an existing Assisted Living Residence license under 10 NYCRR Part 1001. Families should verify a facility's actual SNALR certification on NYS Health Profiles rather than relying on a memory care sign or brochure.

What state regulations govern nursing homes on Long Island?

Nursing homes in New York are licensed and regulated by NYSDOH under 10 NYCRR Part 415, Nursing Homes - Minimum Standards, a completely separate rule set from the Adult Care Facility regulations that govern assisted living. Families can search and compare Nassau and Suffolk nursing homes through the NYS Health Profiles Nursing Home Profiles tool. Note that as of mid-2025, CMS's migration to a new federal inspection database (iQIES) temporarily affected how current some posted inspection data is, so it's worth confirming a record's date.

What is an Enhanced Assisted Living Residence (EALR) and when would my parent need one?

An Enhanced Assisted Living Residence (EALR) is an additional certification an Assisted Living Residence can obtain to let residents age in place despite higher physical needs, specifically those who chronically need physical help walking or using stairs, depend on medical equipment requiring frequent professional assistance, or have chronic, unmanaged bowel or bladder incontinence. EALR care is delivered per an Individualized Service Plan and is regulated under the same 10 NYCRR Part 1001 rules as standard ALR and SNALR certifications.

Is there a local New York State office that oversees senior care facilities specifically on Long Island?

Yes. Long Island Adult Care Facilities fall under NYSDOH's Metropolitan Area Regional Office - Long Island (MARO-LI), located at 320 Carleton Avenue, Suite 5000, Central Islip, NY 11722, phone 631-851-3098. This regional office handles licensing oversight and inspections for Nassau and Suffolk County facilities rather than families needing to go through a statewide-only office.

Do I have to enroll in an MLTC plan for home care in Nassau or Suffolk County?

Yes - Managed Long Term Care (MLTC) enrollment is mandatory in both Nassau and Suffolk counties for dual-eligible Medicaid recipients age 21 and older who need community-based long-term care services for more than 120 days. NYSDOH extended mandatory MLTC enrollment to Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester counties beginning in the 2013 transition period, and that mandatory enrollment structure remains in effect. MLTC plans coordinate home care, adult day care, nursing home care, and related services through a single managed care plan rather than fee-for-service Medicaid.

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