What Types Of Payment Are Commonly Accepted By Nursing Homes?

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When family members or loved ones become unable to care for themselves, it is often the best option to have them admitted into a nursing home where they can receive around-the-clock care. Nursing homes provide a wide variety of care including medical care, personal care and activities to enjoy with other residents.

Residents live in the nursing home full time, but are able to have daily visitors and those residents who are able often go on outings with the nursing home staff on occasion. These services are not free, but are covered by a different medical plans carried by the residents. These are some forms of payment that are commonly accepted by nursing homes.

Medicare 

Medicare is a form of federal health insurance that is available to people who are 65 years of age or over. Medicare covers the cost of residing in a nursing home facility for 100 days. However, the resident must require skilled nursing care to be eligible for Medicare coverage.

Residents may be required to pay a co-pay out of pocket to supplement the coverage provided by Medicare. Most residents have another form of health insurance that often pays for some or all of their co-pay amount.

Medicaid 

Medicaid also pays for services provided by a nursing home. This is a joint state and federal health insurance program that is designed for low income patients. Medicaid covers the cost of staying in a nursing home, but if the resident has assets that can be used towards paying their nursing home expenses, these may have to be spent first.

The requirements for being eligible for Medicaid and the types of nursing home services that are covered may vary depending on the state the patient resides in and where the nursing home is located.

Private Long Term Care Insurance 

Nursing homes also accept payments from private long term care insurance plans. However, the types of covered services, the requirements and the cost of this type of insurance often varies between different companies. This type of insurance is commonly used as a supplement for those patients who also have Medicare coverage.

When choosing a nursing home for your loved one, it is a good idea to speak to the director of the facility. You can find out exactly what services are provided, which types of insurance are accepted and which ones have the best coverage so the cost of these services are most affordable. Visit Beth Sholom Home Of Virginia for more information.

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27 October 2015

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