The New Hampshire Medicaid answer, verified
Yes - New Hampshire Medicaid's Choices for Independence (CFI) Waiver, run by the DHHS Bureau of Adult and Aging Services, covers 'Residential Care Facility Services' for adults who meet nursing-facility level of care and live in a licensed residential care facility (assisted living residence), but room and board is excluded: the approved waiver application states 'Participants who live in residential settings are responsible for paying room and board from the CFI participants income. This is paid directly to the residential care provider. The waiver payment is designated for Waiver services only.' Here is what that means in practice for Portsmouth families - eligibility, what waivers cover, and what stays out of pocket.
Assisted living near Portsmouth compares against a national median of $6,200 a month - and New Hampshire's own median of $8,025, ranked #8 of 50 states.
A semi-private nursing home room runs $9,581 a month at the 2025 national median - the number Portsmouth families weighing skilled care start from.
In-home care averages $35 an hour nationally - about $80,080 a year at 44 hours a week for Portsmouth households.
Medicaid is the payer of last resort for long-term care, and whether it helps with assisted living depends entirely on your state. Yes - New Hampshire Medicaid's Choices for Independence (CFI) Waiver, run by the DHHS Bureau of Adult and Aging Services, covers 'Residential Care Facility Services' for adults who meet nursing-facility level of care and live in a licensed residential care facility (assisted living residence), but room and board is excluded: the approved waiver application states 'Participants who live in residential settings are responsible for paying room and board from the CFI participants income. This is paid directly to the residential care provider. The waiver payment is designated for Waiver services only.' Nursing home care is covered in every state for those who qualify financially - assisted living is the state-by-state question.
The honest New Hampshire answer, verified against official sources: Yes - New Hampshire Medicaid's Choices for Independence (CFI) Waiver, run by the DHHS Bureau of Adult and Aging Services, covers 'Residential Care Facility Services' for adults who meet nursing-facility level of care and live in a licensed residential care facility (assisted living residence), but room and board is excluded: the approved waiver application states 'Participants who live in residential settings are responsible for paying room and board from the CFI participants income. This is paid directly to the residential care provider. The waiver payment is designated for Waiver services only.' Eligibility is strict - income and asset limits apply, and there is typically a five-year look-back on gifts and transfers - so families planning a Medicaid path should talk to an elder law attorney early.
The 2026 numbers
| Care type | 2025 national median | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| In-home care | $35/hour | Non-medical help at home - meals, bathing, companionship |
| Adult day care | $95/day | Daytime supervision and activities, evenings at home |
| Assisted living | $6,200/month | Housing plus daily-living help; care-level fees extra |
| Memory care | typically 20-40% above assisted living | Secured dementia care with higher staffing |
| Nursing home (semi-private) | $9,581/month | 24/7 skilled medical care |
| Nursing home (private room) | $355/day | Same care, private room |
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New Hampshire: Medicaid, prices and the inspection file
| Question | New Hampshire answer |
|---|---|
| Medicaid & assisted living | Yes - New Hampshire Medicaid's Choices for Independence (CFI) Waiver, run by the DHHS Bureau of Adult and Aging Services, covers 'Residential Care Facility Services' for adults who meet nursing-facility level of care and live in a licensed residential care facility (assisted living residence), but room and board is excluded: the approved waiver application states 'Participants who live in residential settings are responsible for paying room and board from the CFI participants income. This is paid directly to the residential care provider. The waiver payment is designated for Waiver services only.' |
| State median, assisted living | $8,025/month (#8 of 50 states) |
| Licensing & inspection records | New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Health Facilities Administration (Health Facility Licensing Unit) |
New Hampshire does not have a single 'assisted living' licence - it licenses two tiers of Assisted Living Residence: 'Assisted living residence - residential care facilities' (the lower level, commonly just called a residential care facility or RCF) and 'Assisted living residence - supported residential care facilities' (which can keep residents needing a higher level of care), so the licence tier tells a family whether a parent can stay as needs increase.
This guide is research, not advice: an independent summary of published costs and state rules. It is not a care provider, placement agency, law firm or financial advisor - care and Medicaid decisions deserve professional advice for your family's situation.
What this means for Portsmouth families
A fair comparison prices the whole picture: home care hours plus home maintenance, transport, and the family hours nobody bills. Communities bundle those in - which is why the sticker comparison understates what assisted living replaces.
This guide is research, not advice: an independent summary of published costs and state rules. It is not a care provider, placement agency, law firm or financial advisor - care and Medicaid decisions deserve professional advice for your family's situation.
Common questions
What is memory care and why does it cost more?
Memory care is assisted living specialized for dementia - secured areas, higher staffing, trained caregivers - and typically prices 20-40% above standard assisted living in the same market. If dementia is in the picture, ask specifically about memory-care rates and staff training, not the general rate.
Can a facility evict my parent?
Yes - discharge policies allow it for reasons like funds running out, care needs exceeding what the license covers, or behavior issues. Read the discharge clause before signing and get the funds-run-out answer in writing; involuntary moves are the outcome families regret most.
When should we start looking?
Before the crisis. Good communities near you have waitlists, and emergency placements take whatever bed is open at premium rates. Touring while your parent is stable costs nothing, builds the shortlist, and turns a future emergency into a phone call.
How do I check a facility's inspection record?
Every state has a licensing or certification agency that publishes inspection results and complaint histories - this guide links your state's agency on every page. Search every finalist before any deposit: violations, complaint patterns and how the operator responded tell you more than the tour.
How much does assisted living cost?
The U.S. median is $6,200 a month ($74,400 a year) per the 2025 CareScout Cost of Care Survey - before care-level fees, which add hundreds more at higher need levels. State medians vary widely; this guide shows your state's number and rank on every page.
Find senior care options near Portsmouth
These platforms show communities and home-care agencies near you with pricing guidance. Advisors are free to families - providers pay them, as they do this site.
Disclosure: this is an independent guide. If you connect with a provider through a link here, the platform may pay this site a referral fee. That fee never changes your price - and it never changes what the inspection records say.