Adult Day Care in New York

If you're new to this, start with what Medicare pays for adult day care.

In New York, Medicaid pays for adult day health care if you qualify for nursing home care. Medicaid plans can also pay for social adult day care as part of your care plan. If you're juggling a job and a parent who shouldn't be home alone, a few days a week can help.

You may qualify if

• You have New York Medicaid, or can get it. For one person 65 or older, the 2026 limits are $1,836 a month in income and $33,038 in savings. With the $20 the state doesn't count, the income limit is $1,856.
• For adult day health care, you qualify for nursing home care, and your doctor orders day care.
• For social adult day care, you need help with one daily task, like walking, or watching because of memory loss.

Not sure you qualify? Apply anyway, because a nurse checks your needs and your plan or Medicaid office decides, not the program. A Pair Team advocate can walk through it with you in one call.

Two kinds of adult day care in New York

Who pays for adult day health care?

Medicaid, private pay and some health insurers pay for adult day health care, the state Department of Health says. Since August 1, 2013, Medicaid plans have been in charge of it for their members. They must cover it the same way regular Medicaid does.

Some people must join a managed long term care plan. That's if you have Medicare and Medicaid, are 21 or older, and need long-term care for over 120 days. Since September 1, 2025, new members must need hands-on help with more than two daily tasks. With dementia, needing supervision with more than one is enough. See home care in New York for how the state assessment works.

Does Medicaid pay for social adult day care?

Medicaid pays for social adult day care through managed long term care plans, when it's in your care plan. A plan can't keep you as a member if social day care is your only service, the state's model member handbook says. Programs a plan pays must follow Department of Health rules.

If you don't have a plan, ask your local office for the aging. Local offices fund about 52 social adult day programs, the State Office for the Aging says, and the state funds 12 more.

How much does adult day care cost in New York?

Adult day health care cost a typical $144 a day in New York in 2025, CareScout's survey found. That's about $37,440 a year for five days a week, well above the national typical cost of $95 a day. With Medicaid, Medicaid or your plan pays the program for the days in your care plan.

How do I find adult day care in New York City?

In New York City, start with NYC Aging. Every social adult day program in the city must register with NYC Aging. Registration isn't a license, and the city doesn't judge quality, so visit before you sign up. NYC Aging's social adult day care page has a finder and a guide to picking one. To complain about a program, call 311.

If you mostly want company and a meal, NYC Aging lists more than 300 older adult centers. They're free for people 60 and older. Call 212-AGING-NY (212-244-6469) or 311.

How to start

1. Call NY Connects at 1-800-342-9871 to find adult day programs near you and hear your options.
2. Get Medicaid first if you don't have it. Apply at your local department of social services, or in New York City at the Human Resources Administration.
3. If you're in a Medicaid plan, call it and ask to add adult day care to your care plan.
4. For adult day health care, ask your doctor for an order. The program then does its own check of your needs.
5. Visit the program. Ask which days it's open, how long the day is, and if it gives rides.

If your plan says no

If your plan says no to adult day care or cuts your days, you can appeal. The steps and deadlines are the same as for home care, so see how to appeal in New York.

What a Pair Team advocate does

Many New York families call us when a parent can't be alone during work hours. This is what we do:

• Check if you can likely get Medicaid or a plan that pays for day care, in one call.
• Ask your plan to add adult day care to your care plan, and appeal if it says no.
• Find programs near you through NY Connects or NYC Aging.
• Help with what usually comes with it: rides, food and bills.

An advocate is covered by Medicare if you qualify. It takes two minutes to find out.

Check if you qualify for a Pair Team advocate

Frequently asked questions

Does Medicare pay for adult day care in New York?

Medicare does not pay for adult day care in New York, or in any state. Medicaid, a Medicaid plan or the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) may pay instead.

How long is a day at adult day health care?

A day at adult day health care lasts at least 5 hours, not counting the ride, state rules say. It includes at least one meal. Most programs run one to five days a week, and some on weekends.

Can I go to social adult day care with memory loss?

You can go to social adult day care with memory loss if you need someone to watch over you, state rules say. Programs offer supervision, activities and meals.

Is adult day health care the same as a nursing home?

Adult day health care is not a nursing home stay, though nursing homes run most programs. You go for the day and sleep at home. You must qualify for nursing home care to attend.

Can PACE pay for adult day care in New York?

PACE can pay for adult day care if you're 55 or older and qualify for a nursing home. It's only in some areas, and Medicare and Medicaid both pay for it, the Department of Health says. With Medicaid, there's no monthly premium.

Sources

• Adult Day Health Care, New York State Department of Health
• Guidelines for the Transition of Adult Day Health Care Services in Medicaid Managed Care, New York State Department of Health
• MLTC Partial Capitation, New York State Department of Health
• MLTC Partial Capitation Model Member Handbook, New York State Department of Health
• About Managed Long Term Care, New York State Department of Health
• Medicare Savings Program 2026 (includes full Medicaid limits), New York State Department of Health
• How to Apply for NY Medicaid, New York State Department of Health
• Social Adult Day Services, New York State Office for the Aging
• NY Connects, New York State Office for the Aging
• Social Adult Day Care, NYC Aging
• Older Adult Centers, NYC Aging
• NYC Aging (New York City Department for the Aging)
• PACE, Medicare.gov
• Cost of Care, New York state medians for 2025, CareScout