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New Jersey Law Provides More Long-term Care Choices
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Comments (5)It’s always pleasing to highlight good news! Recently, the New Jersey legislature passed a law that will offer seniors on Medicaid more long-term care options. By 2008, senior citizens living in New Jersey will have a choice in the type of long-term care they receive through Medicaid, under a law by Governor Jon S. Corzine.
The law provides "an extraordinary change in direction and policy in a way that makes sure our seniors have a choice," said Corzine at a recent AARP summit on long-term care. Currently, New Jersey spends $1.68 billion of its Medicaid long-term care budget on nursing home care, compared with $162 million on community-based care like assisted living facilities, home health care and adult day care. That’s a whole lot of money going to skilled nursing facilities. The law will now help bridge the gap between money going to nursing homes versus money going to people in the community.
"Rather than requiring that nursing homes be the first stop, now nursing homes will be the appropriate stop, if necessary," said Dr. Fred Jacobs, state health commissioner for New Jersey.
Skilled nursing facilities are the right choice for many seniors who require this type of specialized care; however, seniors should never be placed in a nursing home simply because there are no other options. On a personal level, the law provides for appropriate changes in a person’s home including the installation of bathroom handrails and other safety features. Home health aides and respite care are now under the Medicaid umbrella of covered services.
There are already so many choices to make regarding long-term care—the passing of this law will enable you to make better and smarter choices that will really suit your needs!
From my neck of the woods, to yours...Ami Icanberry
Posted in: Adult Day Care, Adult Day Health Care, Elder Care, Insurance, Long-term Care Insurance (LTCI), Senior Care News, Skilled Nursing
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My dad who is 74 has already benefited from the law. Dad left a nursing home recently to move in with his family. He wanted to be at home and now he is. The The program even helped finance newly installed bars in the bathroom, bed pads, a home health aide and respite care.
My mom is 80 years old and has been in an assisted living facility for 3 years. At the time she moved in I asked about the Medicaid program, and was told by the director of the faciliity not to worry they would have a bed available when it was time. Well three years later her money has run out I have applied for Medicaid, and now I’m told by the new director that there is at least a six month waiting list at the facility she is now in. Now I have two choices private pay for at least six months or place her in a nursing home. Can someone out there help me??
Thank You
My mom is currently in a nursing home scheduled for release on 9/26/07. She was only there temporarily for rehab purposes. My dad is scheduled to enter the hospital on 9/24/07 for a 24 hour infushion of chemotherapy for bile duct cancer. When he is released from the hospital he will continue chemo for the next 12 months along with radiation treatments. The problem is that my mom who is bed-ridden requires 24 hour medical care. There is no one (family) available to take care of her and medicare will no longer pay to keep her in the nursing home. Medicaid is not an option since my father will not be able to survive financially once the state takes her monthly social security checks. Any suggestions?
If your mother requires 24-hour medical care then you should speak with her physician about getting a home health prescription. She should qualify for one automtaically if she needs 24-hour medical supervision. Medicare will cover substantial portions of home health care—although exact amounts vary according to individual situations. If extra help is needed around the house that is not medically necessary then another option is in-home care which you will have to pay out of pocket.