Most assisted living communities bill residents for senior living amenities and services via various fee structures such as an all-encompassing fee or a per-service fee. Golden agers who need help with housework and everyday tasks may struggle to pay for these services but the good news is that Medicaid schemes can provide some financial support! Medicaid is a state and nationwide long-term support initiative that assists lower-income and asset-limited retirees in receiving the care they require.
To help you understand how Medicaid covers senior care services, we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide to Medicaid and its legislative rules. We’ve also included information about other financing alternatives that can assist golden agers in managing their senior care bills, as well as some community services that provide counsel and support. Read on to find out more!
Medicaid Coverage for Assisted Living
Medicaid coverage varies by state and the particular program a retiree applies for. Personal care services, also known as assistance with daily living activities, are available in every state but how they are delivered varies greatly. Some state Medicaid schemes, for instance, provide personal care services to qualified retirees, but not within an assisted living community.
Nonetheless, the following are the basic services that most Medicaid schemes would cover in an assisted living community:
- Assistance with daily living activities
- Case and treatment plan management
- Personal medical alert systems
- Food preparations plus minor cleaning and laundry services
- Transport services
It is essential to remember that Medicaid does not pay for lodging in assisted living communities as it does for nursing home patients.
Medicaid Eligibility for Assisted Living
The income and asset restrictions for Medicaid eligibility differ based on the golden ager’s clinical prognosis, the type of care they need, their marital situation, and where they reside. In addition, a doctor must verify that they have a “medically necessary” reason to choose assisted living care.
If the golden ager satisfies all monetary and medical criteria, they must next look for an assisted living community that allows Medicaid as a form of payment, such as Morada North Richland Hills. Contacting your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) would be the easiest way to locate a Medicaid community nearby.
Although not every state Medicaid scheme offers monetary support with assisted living, there are similar personal care alternatives like in-home medical services and senior day-care that are delivered through Medicaid waiver initiatives. These waivers allow the elderly who are on the verge of being institutionalized to remain in their own residences and communities. Remember, your neighborhood AAA can provide comprehensive, state-specific information on various initiatives and Medicaid qualification requirements to help you.
How to Get Financial Support for Lodging in Assisted Living
As Medicaid primarily covers lower-income elders, recipients sometimes struggle to pay the full cost of lodging at an assisted living community. Some states implement efforts to assist Medicaid recipients in making ends meet. For instance, these states set limitations on how much assisted living communities can bill Medicaid patients for lodging.
Non-Medicaid initiatives such as Supplemental Security Income can also assist with care expenses. Another alternative is to seek monetary support from private charities. Additionally, veterans or surviving veteran spouses might be eligible for a VA pension to assist in paying for long-term care.
