Paying For Care

Private pay

If residents have the personal funds to pay for care, they are required to pay out of pocket until their finances and assets are spent. Because of the high cost of long term care, this can often quickly use up a family’s or individual’s resources. It is highly recommended that one consult an estate planner to help you pay for care while protecting your assets.

With the exception of a few government programs for low-income seniors, most in-home and community-based services are paid for privately by the senior, disabled adult, or their family members. Most long term care is not fully paid for by health insurance.

Medicaid

Medicaid is a program funded by state and federal government for people with limited income and assets. Medicaid will pay only for nursing home care in a Medicaid certified facility. For more information, contact the NC Division of Medical Assistance (DMA)

State/County Special Assistance is a program for low income adults over 65 years (or if they are disabled and between the age of 18 and 65) that helps cover the cost of Adult Care Home room and board. Contact your local County Department of Social Services for more information.

medicare

Many people assume that Medicare will cover their Long Term Care needs. However, Medicare will only cover nursing home care under limited conditions and very limited time frames, usually not longer than 100 days. To be covered, you must receive services from a Medicare Certified Facility after a qualified hospital stay. Further, Medicare will not cover custodial care (care that assists with activities of daily living such as eating, bathing, getting in and out of bed, etc…) if that is the only care you need.