Senior Living Services: Medicaid Assistance Eugene-Springfield, Oregon
Medicaid Services
If you or your loved one is on Medicaid, your options for finding a senior care community may be limited since most communities prioritize residents who can pay privately.
Typically, our services are free for our clients, as the finder’s fee is paid by the senior community of your choice unless the recipient is receiving Medicaid (not to be confused with Medicare).
Federal law prohibits any senior referral agency from collecting a finder’s fee from a care facility when the client is on Medicaid and receiving financial support from the government.
In many cases we can offer a free phone consultation to guide you. With the information you share, we’ll help point you in the right direction, saving you time and frustration by avoiding unsuitable options.
However, if you would like to benefit from our full service, we are able to provide a “small budget service” at a nominal rate to be paid by the family of the Medicaid client.
Based on our in-depth, in-person Comprehensive Assessment, we will recommend appropriate care facilities that are taking new residents on Medicaid and guide you and your loved one through the process of moving into a senior care community.
If you or your loved one is on Medicaid, your options for finding a senior care community are more limited since most communities prioritize residents who can pay privately. While we can’t offer our full services for Medicaid recipients or those applying for Medicaid, we understand the challenges you’re facing. We’d like to offer a free phone consultation to guide you. With the information you share, we’ll help point you in the right direction, saving you time and frustration by avoiding unsuitable options.guide you. With the information you share, we’ll help point you in the right direction, saving you time and frustration by avoiding unsuitable options.
Medicaid Requirements
To qualify for Medicaid assistance for long term care facility payments, you must meet both financial and care needs qualifications:
- Monthly income of $2,829 (updated 2024) or less in savings and assets.
- Care needs should be determined through an assessment conducted by a case manager from Senor and Disability Services.
For more information of eligibility and how to apply for Medicaid, contact Senior and Disabled Services:
541-682-4038 or visit www.sdslane.org
Questions Regarding Medicaid
How would I know if I would qualify for Medicaid?
Financially, you will qualify for Medicaid if your monthly income is $2,829 or less and your total assets are $2,000 or less.
Common care needs that qualify you for Medicaid include:
- Assistance with mobility (Bed mobility, transfers, walking)
- Help with toileting or hygiene
- A diagnosis of dementia
Higher levels of care, such as feeding assistance, feeding tubes, or being bed or wheelchair-bound, are more typical for those already on Medicaid or living in a nursing home.
Why should I apply for Medicaid?
Monthly payments at a care facility can be from $4,500 to $12,000 and up per month, depending upon the type of facility you need. If you have care needs but don’t have the financial ability to pay the monthly payment out of your pocket (private pay), you should apply for Medicaid.
Is there any disadvantage to being on Medicaid?
Yes! Many of the care facilities that contract with Medicaid, especially Assisted Living Facilities (ALF) and Memory Care, are less likely to admit new residents who are already on Medicaid. Being on Medicaid limits your options of available care facilities.
If I am on Medicaid, would I be able to find a care facility to move into?
Yes. There are care facilities, mostly Adult Foster Homes (AFH), that admit new residents who are already on Medicaid. However, many care facilities want a new resident to have enough money to pay the private pay rate for one year before transitioning into Medicaid.
Occasionally, assisted living and memory care communities have openings for Medicaid recipients. We can help you find those communities. If you’re not in an urgent situation, you can also join the Medicaid wait-list for communities that work with Medicaid.
What is the difference between ‘private pay’ and Medicaid pay?
Private pay is the full amount that a care facility charges the resident for room and board, and care services. Medicaid reimburses the facility at a lower rate. The Medicaid recipient will pay a small portion of that amount based upon their income.
What is ‘spend down’?
Spend down means spending down your finances until you are left with the minimum amount of savings allowed that would qualify you to receive Medicaid services. A care facility that has a Medicaid contract may be referred to as a spend down facility. That means it is a facility that would accept new residents with limited private pay ability (preferred; at least one year) and would continue to provide the same services once you are certified through Medicaid.
If I have too much money to qualify for Medicaid, should I ‘spend down’ or shelter my money in order to qualify for Medicaid before moving from home?
It is important to know that you cannot “shelter” your money by giving it away as the state will look at your finances for the past 5 years. An Elder Law attorney can advise you on legal ways to ‘spend down’ or shelter your money.
However, it could be wise to use that money and time to find an optimal care facility.
Once you are on Medicaid, your options to find a care facility are extremely limited. However, if you are already an established resident transitioning to Medicaid, you would not be moved out by the care community as long as you continue to qualify for Medicaid.
Senior Living Referral Services
Alzheimer's & Dementia
