Suggest plan to budget to have at least 3-6 months private pay for a move to an AL that doesn’t accept Medicaid. When you go to tour, they will ask in a round-about way if you will be coming in private pay. You can honestly answer “yes”, they may say something like, “We do ask for at least 6 months….”- all legal to say but not to require. You nod and be noncommittal.
If you go in private pay, you’ll be quietly jumped ahead on the waiting list of those coming in Medicaid (this will be denied, but it’s true), you may be offered a “better” room or have more of a choice of rooms/roommates. Something else to consider- if you are an honorably discharged Veteran or the spouse of that Veteran, the VA homes have their own method of determining eligibility and possible co-pay (NOT Medicaid), provide very good care, and don’t toss you out when the money is gone. Check out the VA website. My closest one is an hour away from where I live, but I’m planning on it when I need it. You may be eligible for VA home services too.
I would also suggest making an appointment with your county Office on Aging (may be called Area Agency on Aging)- they’ll have lots of good information about AL choices and often have a VA rep on site to provide info as to what might be available if you are a vet or spouse of a vet. Information is Power !!

I’m no expert, but if you ask Memory Care or Assisted Living facilities if they accept Medicaid for long term care, they probably say no, because true Medicaid long term care financial assistance only covers nursing home care.

Memory Care is most often located in Assisted Living facilities. That’s why it’s a big plus if your state has a needs benefit program that covers Assisted Living and Memory Care. (There may be Memory Care units in some nursing homes, but they still require the resident to need skilled nursing care per a doctor’s order.) You might talk with the financial person at an Assisted Living or Memory Care unit and ask about this. They should be able to properly direct you.