Searching for a Nursing Home? Why Medicaid Matters, Even If You’re Not Using It
When vetting nursing homes for long-term care, ask whether they accept Medicaid, even if you’re not using it right now. That’s the advice from a Money magazine article.
Given the cost of nursing-home care, your parent may spend enough money to qualify for Medicaid in the future. It’s best to find out now what will happen when that day comes, the magazine points out.
Once Dad’s resources are running low, he can qualify for Medicaid, the government program for low-income individuals (rules vary by state), so make sure your preferred facilities accept Medicaid (not all do) and find out if he’ll have to move when he switches payment.
The article also gives a general overview of what to look for in a nursing home. For specific questions to ask, see this OurParents article: “A Checklist for Evaluating Nursing Homes.” You can also find nursing-home reviews, Medicare ratings and lots more information here.
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Leigh Ann Otte is a freelance writer who specializes in health and aging issues. She covers finding and paying for senior care for OurParents. If you have any questions about this post or need help finding senior care options for a loved one, call 1-866-483-4896 to speak with a care advisor in your area.
