Does MaineCare cover about 70% of Maine nursing home residents? | Fact brief

MaineCare has covered close to 70% of Maine nursing home residents in recent years, as claimed by U.S. Sen. Angus King.

MaineCare is Maine’s Medicaid program, providing free or low-cost health insurance to Mainers who qualify based on age, income or disability. A 2023 fact sheet from the U.S. Senate Committee on Aging said Medicaid was the primary payer for 68% of Maine nursing home residents in 2022.

The fact sheet cites data from health policy nonprofit KFF, which found Medicaid covered 64% of Maine nursing home residents in 2025 (Medicare covered 12%, while private payment or other sources covered the remaining 24%). That’s slightly down from 65% in 2023 and 2024, 68% in 2022 and 67% in 2021.

Nationally, Medicaid was the primary payer for 63% of nursing home residents in 2025, according to KFF; Medicare covered 14%, while other sources covered the remaining 23%.