As many are aware, one of the things Concierge Care Advisors prides itself on is being able to help seniors who are on a fixed- or low-income and receiving Medicaid. For these seniors and their families, we do not receive any compensation whatsoever, but are eager to help them find quality senior housing all the same. With that said…
What is Medicaid?
Medicaid is a federal and state-funded health care program. It provides insurance primarily for elderly people, those that are disabled, and/or those with large families and low-incomes. Its job is to provide people with quality health care even if they have limited resources and low-income.
What does Medicaid Pay For?
Medicaid for seniors pays for meals, room and board in medical institutions, some long-term care facilities (which we’ll get to in a minute) your medicines, prescription drugs, etc. and doctors’ appointments.
Sometimes, Medicaid will even pay for transportation and not just ambulatory transportation, but non-emergency transportation as well. These transportation services may include dental appointments, rides to doctor’s offices, to dialysis (if there’s a need) among others.
We say “sometimes” and not “always” because Medicaid rules vary from state to state. So, to find out what transport contingencies exist in your state, call up your Medicaid program or visit the Kaiser Family Foundation for a comprehensive chart.
Are there other Benefits of Medicaid for Seniors?
Yes.
Although health care is what Medicaid is known for, first and foremost, Medicaid for seniors helps with additional expenses. In most cases, elders are provided additional allowances every month, so they have more money to use on other expenses.
In addition to this, Medicaid may also help cover senior living and long-term care services.
How does Medicaid Pay for Long-Term Services?
Long-term services range from independent living (retirement homes), nursing homes, assisted living, and – in some cases – home health care. Most of these services will not accept Medicaid, but don’t fret.
The senior living option most sought after is assisted living. Assisted living has been changing the landscape of the senior housing industry due to the fact that they provide 24-hour security, on-call nurses, and minor- to moderate-assistance with day-to-day tasks.
The especial beauty of assisted living facilities is the fact that seniors still retain their privacy. Even though they have help with the tasks of daily living, they have their own rooms and can leave the premises — transportation will even be provided.
However, assisted living usually requires private pay which would normally rule out the seniors on Medicaid… but not quite.
Some assisted living facilities will ask for a private pay requirement for and then allow the seniors on Medicaid to rollover to onto the state program and let them (the state) pay for their long-term services.
(Bear in mind that the state pays substantially less than a private-pay client. In other words, the assisted living facilities that allow this are providing exceptional care despite significantly less funds.)
With our network of assisted living facilities that offer this option your senior on Medicaid will be able to get into a quality senior care facility despite having less funds.
When it comes to Medicaid for seniors, it’s especially important for them to reach out and ask for help so they can get their questions answered early on. That way, if you have a good retirement plan, then you don’t need to worry over outliving your assets or who will take care of you for the rest of your life!
