Making a Decision

There are many ways to gather information about which skilled nursing center is best for you or a loved one. These include:

• Researching state inspection reports
• Word-of-mouth recommendations
• Promotional literature
• On-site visits

Of these, perhaps a personal visit is the most important in helping you and your loved one gain a unique insight into the facility, the staff and the quality of life of the residents.

Payment Arrangements

The staff at the skilled nursing center you choose can give you specific details on payment arrangements. As a point of comparison, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports this breakdown of how nursing home care is paid for nationwide:

• 44% out of pocket
• 43% Medicaid
• 1 % private health insurance
• 4% Veterans’ Administration and other sources

Medicaid is a cooperative federal-state program designed to provide assistance to low-income people and has become the major funding source for long-term care. The amount paid for room, board and nursing care is determined by each state. Medicaid is based on financial need; spouses of nursing facility residents are protected from what is termed “spousal impoverishment.” This refers to the required depletion of a spouse’s financial resources so that the spouse in a nursing facility can qualify for Medicaid.