Does Medicare Pay For Memory Care
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Written by Brian B

Does Medicare Pay For Memory Care?

Medicare is a federally funded health insurance plan for citizens and legal residents of the U.S. who are at least 65 years of age or older. Medicare can also be utilized by individuals who have a qualifying illness or disability. Let’s take a look at when Medicare will pay for memory care costs.

The four main parts of Medicare include Medicare Part A, B, C, and D.

  • Medicare, Part A: This plan covers inpatient hospital care, nursing home care, skilled nursing facility care, and home health care.
  • Medicare, Part B: This plan covers medical necessities like equipment, testing, occupational therapy, and outpatient care. Physical exams and cancer screenings will also be covered.
  • Medicare, Part C: Helps pay for vision insurance, dental insurance, mental health services, and prescription medications.
  • Medicare, Part D: Will provide access to an outside insurance company’s network of pharmacies for a monthly premium.

What Is Memory Care?

Dementia and Alzheimer’s are very familiar types of memory loss circumstances that will be included in memory care. This is a dedicated care that will go through a variety of services that will depend on the seriousness of the symptoms, like 24-hour emergency call service.

Memory care will go further than what is typically offered in assisted living. Housekeeping, the preparation of food, and clothes washing services are generally provided, but the level of needed assistance with daily activities is increased. There also may be times when daily activities are designed specifically for a person that will allow them to reconnect with their interests or old hobbies.

As the communities can recognize the care challenges for elderly people who have dementia or Alzheimer’s, they may just provide memory care or, for continuing care communities may provide a neighborhood strictly for memory care. More often than not, it is these communities that will have fixed design elements that will lower the stress for those who have dementia or Alzheimer’s.

These elements will usually include a circular neighborhood design that permits the resident for safer wandering, memory boxes outside of their apartments, with natural lighting. About 6 out of 10 elderly people with Alzheimer’s will begin to wander around the community and it is specifically designed to lower the chances of being harmed by wandering, and that may done simply adding security alarms or doing welfare and safety checks.

How Much Does Memory Care Cost?

The average cost of memory care is $5,655 a month with costs ranging from $1,595 to $9,715 in Arizona.

The average costs for memory care ranges from $1,595 – $9,715+ a month. Prices shift dependent on location, services, and elderly care needs. While many services such as meals, medication handling, and group activities will be included, others will not. I.e., residents could have access to clothe washing services, lunch trips, or beauty amenities, like haircuts or pedicures, but those could cost extra.

Memory Care Cost

When Medicare Will Or Will Not Cover Memory Care Costs

The majority of qualified individuals will be automatically enrolled in Medicare, Part A and B, but there are some cases where you must enroll manually through the Social Security Administration. Those who have paid enough in Social Security and payroll tax may not be forced to pay the premium for Medicare, Part A. Medicare, Part B, C, and D will require premiums which depend on the coverage level selected.

Medicare will cover some, but not all, costs related to a memory care facility. Medicare will typically cover the following:

  • Meals.
  • Inpatient hospital care.
  • Semi-private rooms.
  • Medications.
  • Hospital supplies.
  • General nursing care.
  • Diagnostic testing.
  • Skilled nursing care (100 days).
  • Hospice care.

Alternative Financing Options For Memory Care Costs

There are a few other resources for individuals to use in order to pay for memory care. Some residents may already have an insurance plan that covers Alzheimer’s disease care and other impairments. Individual retirement benefits could also provide a source of payment for a variety of medical needs.

Personal savings/assets can be used to help pay for memory care. There are also a variety of private organizations like a local Alzheimer’s association that offer programs to assist qualified individuals in paying for care services.

About Ventana Winds

Ventana Winds Retirement Community is a member of SLS Communities and offers Assisted Living and Memory Care services In Youngtown, Arizona.

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