Medicare changes could drastically reduce home health funding—increasing the need to have a plan for future care

By Shellie Friesen-Berry
Director of Admissions & Marketing
Assisted Living, Memory Care & Health Center

Considering the ever-increasing cost of health care, it’s important to have a plan for future health care needs. That’s even more crucial now with proposed Medicare changes that would cut nearly $1 billion for home health services.

If these Medicare changes actually go through, many patients will lose access to home health services—and be forced to seek care in the drastically more expensive assisted living or skilled nursing care setting.

Does Medicare pay for assisted living? It’s important to note that Medicare does not pay for assisted living. And Medicare pays for skilled nursing care only under certain conditions for a limited time. To put that into perspective, according to the Genworth 2017 Cost of Care Survey, the average monthly cost at an assisted living facility in the Salem, Oregon area is $4,495. Semi-private skilled nursing care in the same area costs an average of $8,882 per month, or a startling $106,580 per year. For this reason alone, it makes sense for seniors to focus on staying well—and living independently as long as possible.

Another thing is clear: It’s becoming more and more important for seniors to optimize Medicare benefits. That’s where a senior living community can play an important role in helping active, independent seniors stay well—and even restore health.

For example, at Dallas Retirement Village, these programs include:

• A full range of wellness services focused on residents’ emotional, physical and spiritual health. This includes a fitness center, exercise classes, social activities and healthy dining options—all included in one monthly fee.
• A state-of-the-art Rehabilitation Center offering out-patient care programs, as well as short-term in-patient care programs. All rehabilitation services are available to both Dallas Retirement Village residents and people from the entire Dallas, Oregon area. Services include physical, occupational and speech therapies—all with the focus on helping patients regain function in the shortest time possible.
• A Health Care Navigator to help residents maximize Medicare benefits. This valuable service is available to all Dallas Retirement Village residents—whether for assistance with paperwork and options for skilled nursing care, or guidance with the nuances of Medicare Part A, Part B, Advantage or any of the plans available in the complicated Medicare program.

If a resident should require care, Dallas Retirement Village offers access to onsite care including assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing care. In each case, the Health Care Team advocates for residents—making sense of ever-changing Medicare regulations.

To learn more about the Health Care services at Dallas Retirement Village, as well as specifics about Medicare and assisted living or skilled nursing care, call us at 503-623-5581 or fill out an online form.