How to Pay for Nursing Home Care in North Carolina
Nursing home care, also known as skilled nursing care, can cost as much as $10,000 per month or $120,000 per year. This can quickly eat through a North Carolina senior’s lifetime savings, which means it’s never too early to think about how you’ll pay for any long-term care you or your spouse may require.
Long-Term Care Insurance
Long-term care insurance is a blessing for seniors in need, but it’s coverage many don’t think of until it’s too late to apply. If you are still in a position where buying such a policy is an option, read the terms carefully. Many policies will only cover care needs for three to five years.
If you have a life insurance policy with benefits that exceed your current needs, you may be able to convert the policy into a long-term care benefit. Universal, whole, term, and group policies may be eligible for conversion, but you’ll need to consult your insurance agent for details.
Medicare
Unfortunately, Medicare does not cover an extended stay in a nursing home. Benefits only cover 100 days of long-term care, but you must be admitted to the hospital for at least three days before this benefit will kick in.
Medicaid
The vast majority of seniors in the United States use Medicaid to pay for nursing home care. Medicaid is a program for people with low incomes and limited assets, but the way a person’s finances are evaluated makes it possible to hold on to many of your assets and still qualify for coverage. At Legacy Lawyers, we regularly work with clients who are interested in Medicaid planning as a way to preserve assets for their heirs.
TriCare for Life
For retired military Veterans drawing a pension, TriCare for Life is Medicare wraparound coverage that provides unlimited skilled nursing care. This includes a semi-private room, skilled nursing services, meals, necessary therapy, medication, and essential medical supplies.
How Our Experienced Elder Law Attorney Can Help
Legacy Lawyers helps North Carolina seniors and their families navigate a wide range of elder law concerns, including how to pay for nursing home care. We provide free consultations to discuss your goals. Fill out our contact form or give us a call at (910) 452-3577. From our office in Wilmington, we help families across the state of North Carolina, and we are ready to work for you!
