Paying for assisted living doesn’t all have to be from your own pocket. One preferred way to pay is through Medicaid. Show
Medicaid is a state-administered public health insurance program that gives health care coverage to families or individuals with low incomes. It is the leading government-assistance program for long-term care and assisted living. Here are 5 common questions people ask about Medicaid and helping to pay for assisted living. 1. Does Medicaid Pay for Assisted Living?Medicaid will help cover the cost of assisted living, including memory care, or Alzheimer’s care. Eligibility requirements must be met (see below for more). Such requirements, available programs and benefits vary based on your state of residence. The cost of skilled nursing and emergency response systems also may be covered. Medicaid will not, however, cover room and board, which usually accounts for approximately half the cost of assisted living. Most states have a regular state Medicaid program along with Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Medicaid Waivers. Although states offer personal care assistance through Medicaid, some offer only through state plans, some through the waivers, and some through a combination. Download the Complete Guide to Managing Elderly Healthcare Costs One of the most impactful considerations for a senior’s quality of life is healthcare costs. Read our eBook, “The Complete Guide to Managing Elderly Healthcare Costs” for the financial insights you need to help you make an informed decision. Download the Guide2. How Much Does Medicaid Pay For Assisted Living?The amount Medicaid will pay depends on several factors, including:
A needs assessment is usually required to calculate the number of hours that Medicaid will cover. For example, those with a greater need for assistance can get a greater amount of caregiver hours per month. 3. How Do I Find Out If I’m Eligible For Medicaid?Eligibility criteria will vary by state. The general requirements are that individuals:
Financial needIn general, state Medicaid plans limit applicant income to 100% of the Federal Poverty Level or 100% of the Federal Benefit Rate. For the Medicaid Waiver, an applicant’s income must not be more than 300% of the Federal Benefit Rate. Assets are usually limited to $2,000 for both state plans and Medicaid Waivers. Find out more about state criteria. Functional needApplicants generally must require a nursing level of care or be facing institutionalization. The definitions vary by state. Some states may require applicants to need assistance with two activities of daily living, such as:
Some programs require a physician statement. Also, a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease isn’t an automatic qualifier for benefits. Visit the Medicaid website for more on eligibility. It provides information about:
Also, contact a State Medical Assistance Office for more details. 4. Which Services Will Medicaid Cover?The types of services covered by Medicaid will vary based on state programs. But the typical services paid for by Medicaid for those in assisted living include:
Medicaid will not pay for the room and board portion of assisted living. Additional Cost Planning ResourcesThere can be a lot to learn about financial planning after retirement, and we continually create new content to help seniors and their loved ones. Check out some of our recent cost planning articles below:
There are many different types of homes or facilities where a person can live and get care services in a residential setting. One important consideration is whether the person will be using state funds (Medicaid) to pay for care. If state funds will be used, the home or facility must be licensed by Washington State and accept Medicaid payment for residents. Long-term residential care options include: State licensed:
Non State licensed:
Nursing Homes (Facilities)Nursing homes provide 24-hour supervised nursing care, personal care, therapy, nutrition management, organized activities, social services, room, board and laundry. The Federal agency that has oversight for state certification of nursing facilities is the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The state agency (SA) responsible for licensing and oversight is the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), Aging and Long-Term Support Administration (ALTSA), Residential Care Services (RCS) Division. Federal law requires DSHS to conduct an unannounced full health survey or inspection at least every 15 months.
Is a Nursing Home Your Only Choice?Make sure to read through the other residential care housing options included on this page. There may be other alternatives for care in a more residential environment – including getting the care and services the person needs at home. Learn more about in-home services. Adults receiving state-funds (Medicaid) to pay for long term care services may also be eligible for the Nurse Delegation Program. With Nurse Delegation, a caregiver may be trained to help with certain nursing type care tasks in your home, Assisted Living Facility, or adult family home. Learn more about Nurse Delegation. Short-term Nursing Home StaysEntering a nursing home no longer means every person stays forever. People also go to a nursing home for rehabilitation or for short-term, intensive nursing care. Often people get better or decide they want to return home and get services there. Do you know someone preparing to leave a hospital, nursing home, or other health care setting? The CDC has developed a Planning for Your Discharge (PDF) checklist of important things patients and caregivers should know in order to plan for a safe discharge from a health care setting. If you are needing short-term nursing home care, plan ahead for what types of services and support you may need after leaving the facility to return home or to another residential care setting. Depending on your situation, talk to a hospital discharge planner, nursing home discharge planner, staff at your local Senior Information and Assistance office, or your HCS case manager if you are receiving Medicaid services. Adult Family HomesAdult Family Homes are regular neighborhood homes where staff assumes responsibility for the safety and well-being of the adult. A room, meals, laundry, supervision and varying levels of assistance with care are provided. Some provide occasional nursing care. Some offer specialized care for people with mental health issues, developmental disabilities or dementia. The home can have two to six residents and is licensed by the state. To explore an adult family home as an option, find out what kinds of services and supports are available at each home you are interested in. For more information about the types of questions to ask and things to look for when finding an adult family home, see our brochure: Choosing Care in an Adult Family Home or Assisted Living Facility. Find an Adult Family Home in Washington State Assisted Living FacilitiesAssisted Living Facilities are facilities in a community setting where staff assumes responsibility for the safety and well-being of the adult. Housing, meals, laundry, supervision, and varying levels of assistance with care are provided. Some provide nursing care. Some offer specialized care for people with mental health issues, developmental disabilities, or dementia. The home can have seven or more residents and is licensed by the state. Assisted Living Facilities that serve Medicaid clients are contracted by Washington State to provide three levels of service packages. Learn more about these service packages. To explore an assisted living facility as an option, find out what kinds of services and supports are available at each of the different facilities you are interested in. For more information about the types of questions to ask and things to look for, see our brochure: Choosing Care in an Adult Family Home or Boarding Home. Find an Assisted Living Facility in Washington State. Non state-licensed Options:
Retirement Communities/Independent Living FacilitiesRetirement communities and independent living facilities are housing exclusively for adults (normally 55 or older). The person is generally healthy and any medical or personal care can be provided by visiting nurses or a home health aide. Staff at the retirement community does not take on the general responsibility for the safety and well-being of the adult. There are all kinds of planned retirement communities from large scale, single family home developments to smaller-scale, senior houses or apartments. Washington State does not license retirement communities. To find local retirement communities in the area, contact your local Senior Information and Assistance office. Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC)A Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) is a residential community for adults that offers a range of housing options (normally independent living through nursing home care) and varying levels of medical and personal care services. A CCRC is designed to meet a resident’s needs in a familiar setting as he/she grows older. People most often move into such a community when they’re healthy. A CCRC resident has to sign a long-term contract that provides for housing, personal care, housekeeping, yard care and nursing care. This contract typically involves either an entry fee or buy-in fee in addition to monthly service charges, which may change according to the medical or personal care services required. Fees vary depending on whether the person owns or rents the living space, its size and location, the type of service plan chosen, and the current risk for needing intensive long-term care. Because the contracts are lifelong and fees vary, it is important to get financial and legal advice before signing. Washington State does not license CCRCs. Will Florida Medicaid pay for assisted living?In Florida, Medicaid can be used to pay for an elderly relative's nursing home, assisted living facility, or in-home nursing care. Medicaid pays a fixed daily rate to cover costs such as a patient's room, meals, staff care, and medical supplies, possibly for the remainder of their life.
How is most assisted living care usually paid for?Most families use private funds to pay for assisted living. This means a combination of personal savings, pension payments, and retirement accounts. Though many seniors save for retirement over the years, family members often contribute to elder care costs.
Does Washington State Medicaid cover assisted living?Assisted Living Medicaid Policy
Washington is one of the few states where Medicaid directly covers the cost of assisted living facilities for eligible seniors. Certain facilities are directly contracted by Apple Health to provide care to older adults who qualify.
How do you qualify for assisted living in Arkansas?Age – Living Choices Assisted Living Waiver is open to all state residents 65 years of age or older. Persons 21-64 years of age are eligible if they have been designated as physically disabled or blind by Social Security. Residency – Program participants must be residents of the state of Arkansas.
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