*Please note: This information is provided for educational purposes only. The availability of each program is determined by that government agency and the individual’s situation. Please consult directly with your insurance company or the government program.

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Senior citizens requiring long-term health care find it difficult to perform daily tasks and activities without assistance. Once they realize their need for assistance, they need to know how to pay for long-term care.

Here we have summed up and put together a short explanation of a few resources that are available for families when they are faced with this same question. Each option is varied in terms of requirement, cost and coverage, so we recommend that you refer yourself to an insurance or financial advisor in addition to referencing the resources described below.

Oregon Long-Term Care Insurance

Some seniors plan ahead and purchase long-term care insurance before it becomes too expensive. The long-term care coverage policies are more complicated than the everyday types, such as life, auto, and homeowners insurance. When looking into this option, you'll want to be educated in what physical and medical condition your loved one will need to be in before your insurance will begin to pay.

For further information go to: www.longtermcare.gov

Oregon Reverse Mortgage

An Oregon reverse mortgage is a fairly new plan that some seniors older than age 62 rely on. The strategy means seniors are able to convert part of the equity in their homes into tax-free cash without having to sell, give up their title, or take on a new monthly mortgage payment. In an Oregon reverse mortgage the payment stream is "reversed." Instead of making monthly payments to a lender, a lender makes payments to the senior allowing them to remain in the home as long as they live, or move into a long-term care facility.

For further information go to: www.reversemortgage.org

Oregon Medicare Helps with Short-Term Care Costs

Oregon Medicare is a federal health-insurance program that covers most Americans over the age of 65. It helps pay for short-term medical expenses, such as hospitalization, doctor bills, x-rays, radiation, and a variety of other tests and therapies. A co-payment for a part of the expenses may be required. However, Medicare does not pay for nonmedical care, such as long-term care and assistance with daily living activities, expect for a few instances as summarized below:

Hospitalization:

To qualify for Oregon Medicare, a senior must have spent three nights in the hospital and must enter the nursing home within thirty days for rehabilitative therapy for the same condition for which they were hospitalized. If conditions are met, Medicare fully covers the first twenty days of long-term care and partially covers up to the next eighty days.

Days	What Medicare Pays	What You Pay
1-20	Full cost	Nothing
21-100	All but a daily copayment	A daily copayment
Beyond 100	Nothing	Full cost

Other Considerations:

Oregon Medicare payments will continue as long as a senior is in a skilled rehabilitation program that is producing results, such as improved health, strength, coordination and flexibility. Once skilled rehabilitation is no longer effective in improving a senior's condition, Medicare will stop paying- even if it's still within 100 days.

Families need to be strong advocates at the hospital for getting a senior into a nursing home if the family is unable to care for them at home.

Oregon Medicaid Helps with Paying for Long-Term Care

If a senior requires residence at a nursing home or long-term care facility, they may qualify for Oregon Medicaid once their assets have been depleted.

For those over the age of 65, Oregon Medicaid helps pay for nursing home costs once the individual has exhausted all, or almost all, of their own means. Oregon Medicaid generally pays for care in a certified nursing home. Since regulations vary from state to state, check this government site then select "Medicaid/Medicare" for the rules in your state.

Once a senior citizen qualifies for Oregon Medicaid, they will have to pay any remaining monthly income, such as social security or pension checks, to the nursing home. Oregon Medicaid only pays the difference between the senior's remaining income and the nursing home's monthly charge.

Find out more about how to pay for long-term care by contacting a financial or insurance consultant.