Whether you or a loved one experiences a major medical event that requires short-term rehabilitation or skilled long-term care, after thinking about the quality of care your top question will be, “How do I cover the costs?” Paying for rehabilitation or long-term care can feel stressful and confusing. Government programs, private insurance, and self-pay options exist, but how can you figure out the best options creating the least hassle and most consistency for you or your family member?
Prioritizing comfort and stability.
A growing population of older adults is no longer on the horizon – it’s a reality. The Administration on Aging (part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) found the U.S. senior population (age 65 and older) increased 36% between 2009 and 2019. They project a continued trend with over 80 million older adults by 2040 – twice the number of seniors in 2000.
As we age, 60% of us will need assistance with activities of daily living like getting dressed, fixing meals, and driving to appointments. Some of us may need short-term rehabilitation to address balance, mobility, or pain management concerns. Longer rehabilitation care may be needed to help you recover after a heart attack or stroke.
When senior care needs conflict with the rules of private and government insurance programs, seniors can find themselves having to transition from private rooms to shared ones or even moving to an entirely different facility. Sometimes this presents a gap in services and creates additional stress for seniors and their families.
The Restoracy difference means we start with comfort and stability as a cornerstone of our care. When funding for care changes, like the move from private pay to Medicaid, we can keep residents in the same bed. This reduces risks associated with transfer trauma and supports rehabilitation and quality of life outcomes.
Even when a move from one home to another is necessary, we make it easy by moving all personal belongings and helping our residents make the move with ease. Plus, they’re still able to spend time with and nurture the friendships they’ve made because the Restoracy is a home, not an institution.
Paying for short-term rehabilitation.
Access to rehabilitation services, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy, is essential for gaining the best outcomes after a major surgery or health event. If you’ve been doing research on your own already, you know there are a lot of helpful resources – and that they can make your head spin.
Simply put, short-term rehabilitation care can be paid for with:
- Medicare: with a qualifying hospital stay
- Medicare Advantage: with prior authorization from your insurance company
- Commercial (private) insurance: typically with prior authorization from your insurance company
Several factors, including the number of days available for rehabilitation, determine the total cost covered by Medicare or commercial insurance. Our team helps you navigate how to cover the costs based on your unique circumstances.
Paying for long-term skilled care.
You or a loved one may decide it’s time for more day-to-day support provided by skilled long-term care or make the transition from rehab to long-term skilled care. Making the change is a big decision. Feeling good about your decision means you’ll want to know your options to cover the costs along with what’s included – and at the Restoracy, the only out-of-pocket living expense is visits to our on-site beautician.
Long-term skilled care comes with multiple options. There may be multiple avenues available to you and generally may include:
- Private pay: using personal funds to cover costs of care
- Long-term care insurance: purchased decades in advance in preparation for future needs
- Medicaid: provides cost coverage based on income and asset thresholds
- Hospice (in conjunction with Medicaid or private pay): end-of-life care services and supplies covered by Medicare with room and board covered by private pay or Medicaid
The right short-term rehabilitation or long-term skilled care facility makes a difference in outcomes and quality of life. So does understanding your financial options. Join us for a tour and ask your cost-related questions, or reach out to our team online any time.