The government doesn’t pay for assisted living, at least not directly. Assisted living is a housing arrangement, not a medical service. In other words, it’s more like an apartment complex with extra help than a hospital.
However, that doesn’t mean the government has no programs to help people pay for assisted living. For example, Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that provides health coverage to low-income people. If you’re eligible for Medicaid and need help paying for assisted living, you can use your Medicaid benefits to cover some of the cost.
But here’s the catch: Medicaid only covers assisted living if it’s considered “medically necessary.” That means you must need help with at least two “activities of daily living” (like bathing, dressing, or using the bathroom), or you must have a specific type of medical condition, like Alzheimer’s disease.
So, if you’re wondering how much the government will pay for your assisted living, the answer is: it depends. It depends on whether you’re eligible for Medicaid and whether your assisted living is considered medically necessary.
But here’s the good news: even if the government doesn’t pay for your assisted living directly, there are still ways to get help paying for it. You can talk to your state’s Medicaid office to determine if you’re eligible for Medicaid benefits. You can also speak to the assisted living facility to see if they offer financial assistance programs.
In short, the government doesn’t pay for assisted living, but there are still ways to get help paying for it. So don’t give up hope just yet!