Does Medicare Pay For Memory Care Assisted Living

Does Medicare Cover Assisted Living Facilities

The services offered by most assisted living facilities typically qualify as custodial care for the purposes, and therefore usually are not covered by Medicare. Only skilled health-care services, such as treatment for wounds provided by a licensed nurse, may be eligible for Medicare coverage in most cases.

Medicare Part A may cover short-term stays in skilled nursing facilities, such as when youre recovering from an operation, if custodial care isnt the only care you need.

Are there any alternatives to an assisted living facility?

Original Medicare may cover qualifying stays in a skilled nursing facility if you are discharged to one immediately following an eligible inpatient hospital stay. A skilled nursing facility differs from an assisted living facility in that it provides a higher level of health-care services, according to the National Institutes of Health publication Medline Plus. Skilled nursing facility care might include nursing, physical, respiratory, and occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, medication management, and dietary and nutritional counseling. Part A benefits are limited to a certain number of days per benefit period and subject to requirements of medical necessity your health-care provider will help you decide if a skilled nursing facility is an option for you or your loved one.

Does Medicare Pay For Home Health Care For Dementia Patients

Original Medicare covers some types of home health services, such as intermittent skilled nursing care as well as physical, occupational, and speech therapy. But, Original Medicare only covers services that a doctor orders at a certified home health agency.

Original Medicare wont cover:

• Help with bathing, dressing, or other care needed
• Help with shopping, laundry, or errands
• Round-the-clock care

The Senior Legal Helpline

The Department of Elder Affairs maintains a helpline for seniors in need of advice regarding civil law. The helpline is free to use, and provides appointment scheduling to people over 60 years of age who wish to speak with a Florida legal professional over the phone. Services that the helpline provides include free legal advice and briefing, referrals to state and local regulatory agencies, and help finding legal council when court representation is needed.

The Senior Legal Helpline can be reached by calling 895-7873. To find out more, visit ElderAffairs.state.fl.us.

You May Like: What Is The Window To Sign Up For Medicare

Medicare & Memory Care

So, does Medicare cover memory care facilities?

Medicare is a federally funded health insurance plan for U.S. citizens and legal residents who are at least 65 years of age or older. What many dont know is that the right coverage helps pay for some services at every stage of dementia.

Heres a high-level overview of what is and isnt covered:

Part A: Covers inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing facility care, nursing home care, hospice care, and home health care.

• Pays for up to 35 hours per week of home health care.
• Pays for the first 100 days in a Skilled Nursing Facility .
• This cost does not include a deductible. There is no cost for the coinsurance for days 1 through 20.
• After 100 days, you are responsible for the full cost.

Part B: Pays for outpatient care, occupational therapy, medical equipment, and testing.

• Covers tests, doctor visits, and medical items in the early stages of dementia.
• There is no deductible or coinsurance.
• Annual Part B deductible of $203 applies.

Part C : Covers vision/dental insurance, and mental health services.

• Includes services that Medicare Part A and Part B also cover. May also include additional benefits, including transportation to and from appointments.
• A Special Needs Plan provides benefits that are specific to dementia.

Part D: Provides access to a network of pharmacies and prescription drugs in exchange for a monthly premium. This is applicable throughout every phase of dementia.

How?

Medicare And Memory Care

An assisted living facility provides personal care and assistance with activities of daily living to seniors, whereas a memory care facility focuses on providing specific care tailored to a patients care plan, safety assessment, or individual diagnosis. According to Genworth, the national monthly median cost for an assisted living facility is $4,500. On average, memory care costs 30 percent more than assisted living facilities, depending on your location.

The key thing to remember with Medicare is that it only covers medical needs. Some facets of memory care are medical in nature , but the majority of support received in memory care would fall under the umbrella of personal and custodial care.

Also Check: Does Medicare Pay For Eye Exams

Assisted Living Facility Requirements

Florida ALFs must meet certain logistical requirements to ensure that residents live in a positive, accessible, and home-like atmosphere. The state allows facilities to provide either private apartments or single- and multiple-occupancy bedrooms within shared spaces. Both types of lodging require lockable doors, full-use kitchens, a minimum of square footage, and accessibility features for people with reduced visual and functional capacity.

Private assisted living apartments must provide at least 80 square feet per resident. Multiple-occupancy rooms can accommodate no more than two residents and must have a minimum of 60 square feet of usable space per person. If a room is multiple-occupancy, at least 35 feet of living and dining space must also be provided per resident. Bathrooms may be shared, but at least one lavatory and one bathing area must be provided per every six and eight residents, respectively. In facilities licensed to provide Extended Congregate Care, bathing areas can only be shared by up to four occupants.

Read Also: What Is A Medicare Point Of Service Plan

Payment Options / Financial Assistance For Alzheimers Care

For most families, the expenses of caring for a loved one with Alzheimers or dementia are covered not by a single source, but instead by contributions from a variety of sources. Some of these resources are specifically designed for Alzheimers patients and others are of a more general nature.

Dementia Care Central is a free website that offers tips, suggestions, and videos on how to provide hands on care and gain the cooperation of persons with Alzheimers. Visit their site.

Read Also: What Is A Medicare Discount Card

Modifications To Improve Home Safety

People often move into assisted living after they have had afall or more difficulty getting around their own home. With this in mind,Advantage plans will now be able to offer installation of wheelchair ramps andbathroom safety grab bars. Other examples would be special air conditioners forpeople with breathing disorders.

The hope is that if more people are able to afford thesekind of home improvements, that there will be fewer medical emergencies and elderlyindividuals might be able to continue living at home for a longer period oftime before assisted living becomes necessary.

The Moments Memory Care Facility

At The Moments, we specialize in care for older adults living with Alzheimers and other forms of dementia. We take 5-star hospitality standards and combine them with high-acuity specialized clinical services.

We also include customized dining programs, daily housekeeping, and a person-centered approach to programming.

Also Check: Does Medicare Part B Go Up Every Year

Where Can I Find Custodial Care

There are many assisted living communities for seniors in most urban and metropolitan areas that offer custodial care. Some retirement communities are set up in scenic locations to ensure elderly people can remain close to nature, while others are located deep in the heart of the city. Whatever your custodial care needs may be, when you are planning on moving your loved one into a senior assisted care facility, the availability of custodial care will always play an important role in the selection process.

Finding which community works best for you can be as easy as making a few phone calls and visiting the centers that have all the services that you need and seek. Taking into account the environment of each community can also help narrow down the search. Are you looking for an assisted living center that is easily accessible, and next to the metropolitan areas, or perhaps would like a community away from the city in more rural and quiet areas located outside of town? These are a few questions to ask yourself when searching for senior assisted living homes that offer custodial care.

Our directory offers a wealth of information regarding custodial care, general senior care, memory care and much more for the seniors in your life. We are happy to help you choose an option that works best for you and your loved one that also fits their individual needs.

Using Reverse Mortgages For Alzheimers Care

The decision on whether or not to use ones home, through a reverse mortgage, to help pay for care is not an easy one. In many cases, it does not make good economic sense, but in other situations it does.

Reverse mortgages come due one year after the homeowner moves from their home. Given that most individuals with Alzheimers will eventually require residential care, it becomes a question of how many years until that point. Should one be at the early stage of the condition and wont require residential care for 5 years, a reverse mortgage might make good sense as a funding resource for occasional assistance around the home. However, if one might need to move within 2 years, a reverse mortgage would be considered an expensive source of funds. The exception to this rule is when the individual with Alzheimers has a healthy spouse who will continue to live in the home when the spouse with Alzheimers moves into a care facility. In this situation, a reverse mortgage could be a sound decision.

Recommended Reading: What Is Medicare Plan N Coverage

Paying For Alzheimers Care Overview

Alzheimers disease, Lewy Body dementia, Frontotemporal dementia , and other related memory disorders and dementia affect over 5.5 million aging Americans. Depending on the stage of these diseases, individuals can require 24-hour supervision or care. This means each year in the U.S., there are billions of hours spent caring for individuals with these conditions. While the vast majority of that care is provided by friends and family members, what happens when those caregivers are not available? Who pays for Alzheimers care? Fortunately, there are many programs that provide financial assistance, respite care, and other forms of aid to help families and caregivers.

The worldwide cost of dementia care is approximately 1 trillion U.S. dollars. If dementia care were a country, it would be the worlds 17th largest economy.

Helpful Resources

• Find Affordable Elder Care

Finding Memory Care Facilities That Accept Medicaid Near Me

Rehab Select offers memory care in facilities throughout Alabama. We employ therapists and clinicians to provide thebest care for Alzheimers and dementia patients. Our structured schedule andinnovative programmingsupport residents’ emotional, menta, and physical well-being while slowing down the disease’s progression.

Schedule a tourto see how we can help support you and your loved one.

Read Also: How To Find Someone’s Medicare Number

Cover Provided By Medicaid

Memory care falls under Medicaids nursing facility services and is therefore covered. The services delivered, however, differ by state. In Arizona specifically, Medicaid can cover around 50% of memory care costs. For more information on how much cover you qualify for, please visit Memory Care.com. They give extensive details on how much Medicaid contributes to memory care.

Certain benefits are federally mandatory. States then have the option to provide extra help to individuals with dementia. Examples of services offered by Medicaid with regards to memory care are the following:

• Nursing facilities
• Early and periodic screening, diagnostic, and treatment services
• Inpatient hospital services

• Supplement Security Income

Alternative State Payments For Assisted Living Expenses

States offer a broad range of alternative coverage for seniors that are not part of the typical Medicaid program. These payments are provided through alternative programs that allow for the waiver of some federal rules such as income eligibility. Most seniors who apply for these waivers must exhibit care needs equivalent to a senior who lives in a nursing home in order to qualify.

Alternative payment programs also have a limited number of spots available, often significantly fewer than Medicaid. Because the waiting list is quite common and lengthy, many seniors will apply well in advance of their actual needs. Support programs differ from region to region and not all programs may be available to seniors statewide. Make sure to ask your enrollment officer about alternative programs available for their location when researching assisted living communities to join.

There are also other non-traditional assistance programs that are available for specific groups of seniors. For example, veterans or the surviving spouse of a veteran have special programs available to help defray the cost of assisted living. Many religious groups and organizations also offer funding for long-term care or have assisted living facilities for seniors that operate on a not for profit model.

Also Check: Does Medicare Cover Fall Alert Systems

Does Medicare Cover Assisted Living Facilities For Dementia Patients

Assisted living facilities are a popular choice. Most assisted living facilities charge rent and a fee based on the assistance a resident needs.

Original Medicare doesnt cover assisted living rent nor does it cover fees for personal care. Yet, Original Medicare will cover healthcare you get in assisted living.

Get A Free Quote

Find the most affordable Medicare Plan in your area

Medicaid & Medicare Costs Coverage & Details

As of the last update, 46 states and the capital were listed as providing at least some level of payouts to those residing in an assisted living facility. Some states, specifically Louisiana, Kentucky, Alabama, and Pennsylvania do not provide Medicaid coverage for seniors who reside in assisted living homes. Though Medicaid is not offered, these states have other non-Medicaid programs that seniors may avail to help pay for their long-term care costs.

Support types and levels vary greatly from state to state. However, states that are barred from offering direct Medicaid payments create other unique solutions for seniors. Some ways states assist seniors is by placing a firm limit on the number of fees a facility that is Medicaid certified may charge. Another is by offering seniors who are Medicaid-eligible supplemental assistance for their assisted living fees. Instead of these funds originating from Medicaid, they are taken out of general state funds to help pay for senior assisted living costs.

Another way many states help senior Medicaid recipients reduce the expenses of assisted living is by covering the fees of supplemental services offered by these communities. Assisted living supplemental services may include personal care, medical assessments, coverage of nursing care, medication management, case management and medical exams.

Recommended Reading: Does Medicare Pay For Blepharoplasty

Applying For Va Benefits To Pay For Assisted Living

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers pension funds to some eligible wartime veterans who have low income and limited assets. The Aid and Attendance benefit is an increased monthly pension that many veterans and their families do not know about. This higher pension amount is awarded to eligible veterans and surviving spouses who require the assistance of another person to perform activities of daily living , such as bathing, dressing, toileting and feeding. Assisted living facilities provide these kinds of personal care services.

In 2021, an eligible veteran may receive up to $1,936 monthly, a surviving spouse with no dependents is eligible for up to $1,244 monthly, and a veteran with a non-veteran spouse is eligible for up to $2,295 monthly through the A& A pension program.

For more information on this and other VA benefits, what these programs cover, eligibility criteria and how to apply, download AgingCare.coms FREE Veterans Benefits eBook.

What Are Other Care Options Covered By Medicare

Medicare Part A covers skilled nursing care, but only in certain conditions and on a short-term basis. It must be provided less than seven days a week or less than eight hours a day over a period of no more than 21 days, with some exceptions.

Some of the other care options that might be covered by Medicare include:

• Home-based care, such as part-time or intermittent home health aide services. Medicare does not, however, cover daily 24-hour care at home. It also doesnt cover meals delivered to your home or homemaker or custodial services if those are the only services you need.
• Hospice and respite care, which are both covered by Medicare. Hospice provides care and support for people who are terminally ill, and respite care is a short inpatient stay for hospice patients with the goal of providing their caregivers with rest.
• Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly , which is a Medicare/Medicaid program that helps people meet their health care needs in their own community so they dont have to go to a care facility. It covers prescription drugs, doctor visits, transportation assistance, home care and even nursing home stays when theyre necessary.

You May Like: Does Medicare Cover Plantar Fasciitis

Other Options For Paying For Memory Care

There are multiple financial resources for those who need help paying for memory care:

• Insurance: While Medicare is the primary insurance for individuals 65 and older, a retiree may have private insurance through a group plan that covers care for Alzheimers disease and other memory impairments.
• Retirement benefits: Individual retirement benefits may provide a personal source of payment for dementia and other medical conditions. This includes both individual retirement accounts and annuities.
• Personal savings: Personal assets may be used to help pay for memory care, including savings accounts, investments and real property.
• Private organizations: Community organizations, such as a local Alzheimers association, may offer programs to help qualified individuals pay for memory care services. A local church or volunteer group may also offer financial assistance.

Does Medicaid Cover Memory Care In Texas

Note: For the purposes of this guide, when we say Memory Care we are referring to memory care provided in a social setting, such as an Assisted Living Facility. This is the most common way to receive Memory Care and is the best fit for all but the frailest seniors. Sometimes the actual service of memory care can be provided in a Nursing Home , so the financial assistance options will be very different. To learn more about the financial assistance options available for memory care provided in a nursing home, read our guide to Nursing Home Care in Texas.

In Texas, Medicaid doesnt directly cover memory care. However, seniors who qualify for Medicaid can apply for the STAR+PLUS waiver, which replaced the Community Based Alternatives waiver in 2014. The managed care program is available for eligible adults aged 65 and over and adults with disabilities. The waiver provides Medicaid support and services through a health plan chosen by the individual. It covers a wide range of long-term medical and non-medical services for people who require nursing home level care, and services may be provided at home, in adult foster care or in a residential community such as an assisted living neighborhood.

Also Check: Is It Better To Have Medicare Or Medicaid