Does Medicaid Pay For Assisted Living In Wisconsin

Does Insurance Cover Assisted Living

In general, private health insurance does not cover assisted living.3 Of course, every plan is different, so it never hurts to call your insurer and ask. You may get at least some coverage for medical care provided by the assisted living facility. Some Medicare Advantage, and most long-term care insurance plans, cover assisted living costs, but again, it varies greatly by plan. It’s best to call your provider for coverage details.

Paying For Assisted Living With Medicaid And Medicare

Seniors will typically need to pay a deposit on top of their monthly fees for assisted living. There are several ways to pay for assisted living. Seniors may use long-term care insurance, self-payment, or even a community benefit. Although Medicare wont cover the cost of assisted living care, Medicaid may cover some of the costs. Seniors are able to use a mix of payment options to pay for their stay and if eligible, state Medicaid will cover some of these expenses.

Medicaid pays fully for nursing home stays due to the fact that the caregivers provide skilled nursing and other medical-related services. With assisted living, there is not always a need for skilled nursing or even medical care. As a result, Medicare provided by the state is unable to pay for a senior’s room and board directly and Medicaid is not required to pay for a seniors stay in an assisted living home.

Assisted living communities offer rooms that cost approximately half of that of a nursing home room that is semi-private. States understand that offering assistance to seniors who opt to reside in an assisted living community over nursing home will save on Medicare costs in the long run.

Does Medicare Cover Assisted Living In Wisconsin

The short answer is that no, Medicare does not cover the cost of assisted living in Wisconsin. Assisted living facilities are considered to be a residential setting and not a clinical setting, . While Medicare doesnt cover the cost of care received in an assisted living community, it does still cover things like approved medications, doctor visits, medical equipment, etc., just like it would if you lived at home.

For more information about when Medicare can be used to pay for senior living in a nursing home, and for Medicare-related resources, see our guide to Nursing Homes in Wisconsin.

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Medicaid Income Rules In Wisconsin

In Wisconsin, a single person can have a monthly income up to only $2,349 in 2020 and qualify for Medicaid-paid nursing home care. The Medicaid income limit for a married couple, with both spouses applying, is $4,698 per month in 2020. These LTC income limits may be higher than the income limit for those applying for other health care benefits from Medicaid.

For purposes of determining Medicaid LTC eligibility, any income an applicant receives, from any source, is considered. However, when only one spouse of a married couple applies for Medicaid, the income of the non-applicant spouse is not counted, so that the non-applicant spouse has enough funds on which to live. If the non-applicant spouse doesn’t have any income, he or she is entitled to keep a minimum monthly needs allowance, which may range from $2,818.34 to $3,216, from the applicant spouse’s income.

If you qualify for Medicaid and live in a nursing home, you will be expected to spend almost all income on your care. Wisconsin Medicaid allows nursing home residents receiving Medicaid to keep only $45 per month as a personal needs allowance.

Applying For Medicaid In Wisconsin

There are several ways to apply for Medicaid, including:

Online: Apply at the Wisconsin.gov Access application portal.

Paper: Download the Wisconsin Medicaid Application Package. Once you have completed the application, you can visit your Income Maintenance or Tribal Agency to submit your application. You can also send it by mail.

In-person: Visit your Income Maintenance or Tribal Agency office to apply in person.

Telephone: For more information on how to apply, call 362-3002.

Before You Apply

Whether you apply online, via mail or in person, youll need to have certain information or documents available, including:

• Birth certificate
• If married, a marriage document
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or immigration status
• If youre working, your employers name, address and phone number
• Recent paycheck stubs that show income
• Other income, such as unemployment or Social Security
• The names and ages of everyone in your household

Where to Go to Get Help

If you have questions about whether youre eligible for Medicaid in Wisconsin, several agencies can answer your questions or help you obtain coverage.

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Finding Assisted Living That Accepts Medicaid

If youre looking for Medicaid-approved assisted living communities, first review information online about Medicaid waiver programs available in your state. Waivers enable the federal government to work around certain rules in the Medicaid laws. The purpose of waivers is to give individual states flexibility around specific objectives that states are aiming to achieve, like improving or expanding care for certain groups of people and reducing costs.

Home and Community-Based Services is an example of a waiver program that provides options for Medicaid beneficiaries to receive services at home or in their community as opposed to an institutional setting. Each state can create individual HCBS waivers to support the needs of individual groups who prefer to receive care services in their own home or community.

You can also contact your local Medicaid office, Department of Aging, Department of Elder Affairs, or social service agency. Be sure to request a list of all Medicaid programs in your state that you or your loved one may be eligible for.

Here are some other questions to keep in mind when speaking with an agent:

Who Lives In Assisted Living Residences

Currently, more than a million Americans live in an estimated 20,000 assisted living residences. Wisconsin has more than 4000 assisted living facilities in which resided well over 40,000 individuals with very diverse needs, from relatively independent seniors and other adults, to persons with advanced stages of Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of dementia, developmental disabilities, physical disabilities, mental illnesses, traumatic brain injuries, alcohol and drug addiction, and those in the correctional system.

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Can You Use Medicare To Pay For Assisted Living In Wisconsin

Unfortunately, Medicare does not cover the cost of assisted living in Wisconsin. Unlike nursing homes, assisted living facilities are not considered to be clinical settings and so are not eligible for Medicare coverage. That being said, you can still use Medicare to cover the cost of approved medications, doctor visits, medical equipment, etc.

For more information about Medicare visit medicare.gov.

Assisted Living In Wisconsin

We have gathered data for over 20,000 assisted living communities serving seniors across the U.S., and over 670 statewide. Our research indicated that a resident in an assisted living community in Wisconsin will pay $4,300 per month on average.

• Cities in Wisconsin

Wisconsin is home to world-class aging research institutions and elder advocacy groups. The state also holds a yearly healthy aging summit and provides many grants for aging-based community services. With a large retiring population and many opportunities for elders in a state clearly dedicated to supporting their aging population, Wisconsin is a great place to retire.

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Waiver Programs For Assisted Living In Wisconsin

Family Care Waiver

All low-income Wisconsinites who are aged at least 65 can apply for the waiver. Any individual who is disabled, regardless of age, can also apply. After an individual makes an application, a representative at their local Aging and Disability Resource Center will help them complete the Long-Term Care Functional Screen. This assessment helps determine your need for services and your financial and functional eligibility.

Eligible Wisconsinites receive help with ADLs, transportation and medical equipment, excluding room and board.

Can You Use Medicaid To Pay For Assisted Living In Wisconsin

While you cannot use Medicaid to pay for assisted living costs in Wisconsin directly, the state does offer a Medicaid waiver, the Family Care Waiver, which can help seniors cover expenses in assisted living facilities.

The frail elderly, which consists of Wisconsinites aged 65 and older who need help with ADLs, can use the Family Care Waiver to help pay for long-term care services in a Medicaid-certified CBRF or RCAC. This program does not pay for room and board.

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Which Services Will Medicaid Cover

The restrictions will differ depending on the state you live in, which is why it is critical to check with your local Medicaid reps to ensure what is covered.

Medicaid will, in general, cover:

• Personal Care Assistance Entails a variety of personal tasks such as dressing, eating, and bathing. However, it also includes a variety of other tasks.
• Homemaker services Entail tasks around the house that the elderly may find difficult to complete, such as shopping, washing, food preparation, and so on.
• Management of Cases
• Transportation
• Personal Emergency Response Systems

Remember that Medicaid will NOT pay the room and board portion of the charges. However, there are various methods to compensate for this, lowering the overall cost.

Given that the average monthly cost of Assisted Living is $4.300, any financial support and assistance are greatly appreciated.

With that in mind, you should be aware that most states will also provide Medicaid Waivers for Home and Community-Based Services. These Waivers can assist persons in receiving the assistance they require while remaining in the comfort of their own homes.

Furthermore, the income restrictions for the Waivers are often significantly higher, however, as is customary, each state sets its regulations and there are waiting lists included.

Eligibility For Medicaid In Wisconsin

Seniors who wish to apply for Medicaid in Wisconsin must meet specific financial requirements. Their income must be low or very low . Medicaid also places limits on assets. If only one senior in a household is applying for Medicaid, the other seniors asset limit is much higher.

2022 Medicaid Income Limits for Seniors in Wisconsin

*Per year

Besides financial limitations, seniors and others need to meet specific requirements to apply for Medicaid.

• They must be a resident of Wisconsin.
• They must be a U.S. national, a permanent resident or have legal alien status.
• They must need health care/insurance.

Individuals who are eligible for Medicaid include:

• Low-income women who are pregnant
• Anyone responsible for a blind child aged 18 or younger
• Anyone who has a disability or lives with a disabled family member
• All Wisconsinites aged at least 65 who qualify financially

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Is Assisted Living Tax

Like everything related to the IRS, it depends.2 If you or a qualified dependent are in an assisted living facility primarily for medical care, you can typically deduct the entire expense. Otherwise, only the cost of medical services at the facility is deductible. You must itemize your taxes to claim this deduction, and there may be limits based on your income. Learn more from the IRS Medical and Dental Expenses publication.

Medicaid Asset Rules In Wisconsin

Medicaid for long-term care has different resource rules, which you must satisfy to be eligible for coverage, than those for other Wisconsin Medicaid programs. Resources are assets like real property, personal property, life insurance with a cash value, vehicles, motorhomes, boats, bank accounts and cash. You will have to total up all of your non-exempt, countable assets to determine how much you have in resources.

If you are a single person, you can have only up to $2,000 in assets with a few allowable exclusions such as a car and your home . If you are married, your non-applicant spouse at home can keep up to $128,640 worth of joint assets.

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What Is The Philosophy Of Assisted Living

WALA members subscribe to a 10-point philosophy of care:

How Much Does Medicaid Pay For Assisted Living

The amount Medicaid will pay depends on several factors, including:

• State of residence
• The state Medicaid program
• Level of care needed

A needs assessment is usually required to calculate the number of hours that Medicaid will cover. For example, those with a greater need for assistance can get a greater amount of caregiver hours per month.

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Common Questions About Medicaid Benefits For Assisted Living

Paying for assisted living doesnt all have to be from your own pocket. One preferred way to pay is through Medicaid.

Medicaid is a state-administered public health insurance program that gives health care coverage to families or individuals with low incomes. It is the leading government-assistance program for long-term care and assisted living.

Here are 5 common questions people ask about Medicaid and helping to pay for assisted living.

Other Ways To Supplement Assisted Living Costs

While Medicaid offers numerous options to help pay for assisted living costs, many families find themselves having to seek additional resources. Medicare may fill some of the gaps, but most families find it necessary to rely on personal sources such as retirement savings or long-term care insurance. Some insurance companies will also allow customers to use a life insurance policy to pay for long-term care.

For support with tasks like shopping, transportation, budgeting, or legal issues, there may be organizations or volunteer groups in your community that offer help for a small fee or perhaps even free of charge. Meal programs, companionship programs, and senior centers may also be available to provide additional support when Medicaid does not.

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How To Pay For Assisted Living

There are many different ways to pay for assisted living, from writing an out-of-pocket check each month to getting help from your insurance company. Many long-term care insurance policies offer assisted living coverage, and this is typically the least expensive option. Just remember that these policies usually need to be purchased long before you need them, so it may be difficult to obtain a new policy if you’re looking to move to assisted living soon. Let’s go through some of the most popular ways to pay for assisted living in more detail.

What Costs Does Medicaid Cover For Assisted Living

Medicaid covers some costs of assisted living, but coverage will vary depending on the state where the individual lives because each state has their own rules and regulations. Currently, 46 states offer some form of Medicaid coverage to pay for assisted living costs.

In general, Medicaid may cover assisted living costs including:

• Long-term care provided by an assisted living facility, nursing home, or home health
• Occupational, speech, and physical therapy
• Inpatient and outpatient services

Theres also the Group Adult Foster Care and Supplemental Security Income Assisted Living Benefit that covers assisted living and home-care costs so residents dont have to live in a nursing home. Finally, the Adult Day Health program provides daytime support for seniors.

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Does Medicaid Pay For Assisted Living

Discover the latest news on finances and retirement from industry leaders.

Data from Genworth suggests that seven out of ten individuals will require long-term care at some point in their life. As of 2022, the national median cost of assisted living is $4,365 per month, but costs can exceed $100,000 per year depending on the type of care. Even more striking, is that these costs are estimated to increase about 3-6% each year for the foreseeable future.

Even with adequate retirement savings, individuals may find it difficult to pay for assisted living costs and seek solutions from the government. To help you understand your options, well explain the role of Medicaid when paying for assisted living. Plus, get other helpful information on covering these costs.

Regulation Of Wisconsin Assisted Living Facilities

Assisted living in Wisconsin is regulated by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services Bureau of Assisted Living. The Bureau of Assisted Living is a subdivision of the Departments Division of Quality Assurance, and its sole responsibility is to monitor assisted living communities, including RCACs and CBRFs.

All assisted living homes must apply for a license, and in doing so, conduct criminal background checks for all caregivers employed at the facility. Buildings must be inspected to ensure facilities conform to fire safety laws before receiving a license. In addition, assisted living communities have to submit a report every two years, and the department is required to investigate complaints or allegations of abuse from residents.

It is important to note the difference between Certified RCACs and Registered RCACs. Certified RCACs are inspected every two years, and accept Medicaid in addition to private payments. Registered RCACs are not inspected by the department and do not accept Medicaid.

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Facility Scope Of Care

CBRFs may provide care, treatment, and other assistive services beyond room and board to residents. The level of care is limited to intermediate nursing care, and no more than three hours of nursing care may be administered to an individual resident per week. CBRFs are permitted to admit and provide services to those with dementia, but not those who require around-the-clock or advanced nursing services.

Additionally, CBRFs are required to provide certain services unrelated to health care, including:

• Transportation
• Leisure-time activities, and specific activity programming for residents with dementia
• Three nutritious meals per day plus a nutritious snack that meets residents specific dietary needs