Elderly people may need help paying for nursing home care.
According to the 2009 MetLife Market Survey of Nursing Home, Assisted Living, Adult Day Services, and Home Care Costs, the average cost for semi-private nursing home care was $198 per day in 2009. Unless elderly people have substantial savings, they will likely have difficulty paying for the nursing home care they need. Health insurance policies may cover some nursing home costs but if elderly people need care for a significant period of time or if they don't have a health insurance policy, they may need to take advantage of some programs to help pay for nursing home care. Does this Spark an idea?
Medicare
Medicare pays for nursing care of the elderly only under certain circumstances. The patient must have been hospitalized for at least three days immediately before admission to a nursing home. He must require skilled nursing care or rehabilitation services that cannot be provided on an outpatient basis. Medicare usually only pays for nursing home care for a limited period of time.
Medicaid
Medicaid pays for nursing home care of the elderly when they require skilled nursing care and cannot remain in their own homes, if they qualify financially. To qualify for Medicaid, elderly people must have limited incomes and resources. Income guidelines vary from state to state. Medicaid only covers nursing home care at certain nursing homes. They must have government certification to provide care to people with Medicaid. Medicaid will cover nursing home care for a long period of time as long as it remains medically necessary.
Special Funds
Some nursing homes have special funds to help indigent elderly people who cannot afford the nursing home care that they need. Social workers or administrators at nursing homes can provide information on such programs. You can also ask a social worker at a local hospital, clinic or community service organization about nearby nursing homes that have such funds.
Tags: nursing home, nursing home care, elderly people, home care, nursing homes, home care
