medicare - financial
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Summary of Medicare benefits, rights and protections, and answers to the most frequently asked questions about Medicare. (PDF, 136 pages)
If you're curious about how much care costs, this reference provides national and state averages.
This site offers details on Medicare coverage, plan options, and downloadable forms for claims and appeals.
Are you wondering if a medical expense is covered by Medicare? Use their calculator on medicare.gov to find out.
Assess The Costs Of Care
Since our mom was our dad’s main caregiver, we were able to keep certain costs down while he was at home. But as his health deteriorated, we had to start introducing care services. It started out with a home health aide providing a few hours of respite care a week, then turned into assistance each night, and continued to escalate from there. The costs can pile up quickly. Though the cost of care varies from city to city and town to town, we found this terrific guide called the Genworth 2015 Cost of Care Survey (PDF) that might prove helpful to you. The survey reports that the national average median cost for:
TYPE OF SERVICE/COST
Homemaker (Non-Medicare Certified, Licensed)
Provides "hands-off" care such as helping with cooking and running errands. Often referred to as "Personal Care Assistants" or "Companions."
$19 per hour
Home Health Aide (Non-Medicare Certified, Licensed)
Provides "hands-on" personal care, but not medical care, in the home with activities such as bathing, dressing and transferring.
$20 per hour
Adult Day Health Care
Provides social and other related support services in a community-based, protective setting during any part of a day, but less than 24-hour care.
$65 per day
Assisted Living (Private One Bedroom)
Provides "hands-on" personal care as well as medical care for those who are not able to live by themselves, but do not require constant care provided by a nursing home.
$3,500 per month
Nursing Home (Semi-Private Room)
Provides skilled nursing care 24 hours a day.
$212 per day
Nursing Home (Private Room)
Provides skilled nursing care 24 hours a day.
$240 per day
This information is taken directly from the Genworth 2015 Cost of Care Survey. We think you'll find this to be a great resource, because it not only gives you state-by-state information, but it also gives you information within the state, city by city.
TYPE OF SERVICE/COST
Homemaker (Non-Medicare Certified, Licensed)
Provides "hands-off" care such as helping with cooking and running errands. Often referred to as "Personal Care Assistants" or "Companions."
$19 per hour
Home Health Aide (Non-Medicare Certified, Licensed)
Provides "hands-on" personal care, but not medical care, in the home with activities such as bathing, dressing and transferring.
$20 per hour
Adult Day Health Care
Provides social and other related support services in a community-based, protective setting during any part of a day, but less than 24-hour care.
$65 per day
Assisted Living (Private One Bedroom)
Provides "hands-on" personal care as well as medical care for those who are not able to live by themselves, but do not require constant care provided by a nursing home.
$3,500 per month
Nursing Home (Semi-Private Room)
Provides skilled nursing care 24 hours a day.
$212 per day
Nursing Home (Private Room)
Provides skilled nursing care 24 hours a day.
$240 per day
This information is taken directly from the Genworth 2015 Cost of Care Survey. We think you'll find this to be a great resource, because it not only gives you state-by-state information, but it also gives you information within the state, city by city.
Upon entering any medical facility, make sure the information on your parent’s ID bracelet is correct. Then, whenever medication is being dispensed, be sure the nurse checks that same bracelet.
"Top Ten Things to Know If You're Interested in a Reverse Mortgage" by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
"How Will the Law Affect Medicare Advantage?" by The New York Times
"How Will the Law Affect Medicare Advantage?" by The New York Times
