Financial Options

Several financial options for payment may exist dependent upon which Lifestyle Option you choose. The table below shows some possible arrangements for each option.

	Masonic Village Estates	Michigan Masonic Home	Jack F. Sanders Health Care Center	Short-Term Rehab Unit
Private Pay	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Medicaid			Yes	Yes
Medicare			Yes	Yes
Long-Term Care Insurance		Yes	Yes	Yes
Masonic Advantage Program		Yes

Long-term Care Insurance

Masonic Pathways accepts most types of Long-term Care (LTC) insurance. However, while LTC insurance serves as a beneficial financial tool for many people, purchasing LTC insurance is not always the right decision for someone who is already in a long-term care setting. Many factors must be considered, including your age, health, and the types of choices or amount of assets you are trying to protect. If you have not already purchased LTC insurance, carefully consider the cost and benefits before proceeding with a purchase at this pint in your life. If you do decide to purchase LTC insurance, be sure that you fully understand the plans coverage limits as well as the types of care that are covered.

Medicare

The federal government's Medicare program offers many benefits to American seniors.

Medicare Part A coverage is provided to all qualifying seniors and helps to pay for hospitalization or short-term skilled nursing home stays.
There is no premium for Part A coverage.

Medicare Part B coverage is offered to qualifying seniors for a monthly premium. It provides coverage, subject to deductibles and co-pays, for many outpatient services.

Medicare Part C, or Medicare HMOs, are available in many areas as an alternative to traditional Part B coverage. They are administered on behalf of the government by private insurance companies and, as with Part B, enrollees pay a monthly premium, deductibles, and co-pays. There are currently very few providers in he Alma area that participate in any Medicare HMOs. Residents whoa are enrolled in a Medicare HMO may want to consider changing their coverage back to the "traditional" Part B coverage.

Medicare Part D coverage is prescription drug coverage for everyone with Medicare. The program is designed to protect against future drug costs and to give enrollees access to necessary medications. Medicare drug plans are run by insurance companies and other private companies approved by Medicare.

Medicaid

Medicaid is an assistance program that is jointly funded by the federal and state governments and administered by the states. one aspect of the program helps to cover the cost of nursing home care for people who have exhausted their assets. Recipients must meet a variety of requirements to qualify for Medicaid Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) assistance.

• A demonstrated need for Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) placement.
• "Countable assets" (excluding a home and one care) of less than $2,000.
• A monthly income that is less than the cost of his/her nursing home care.

Upon qualifying, the recipient receives benefits to make up the difference between the rate that the facility will accept for his or her care and what he or she is able to pay out of his or her own assets (the "Patient pay Amount:"). Patient Pay amounts are determined by Medicaid and typically allow for a limited amount of persons funds as well as funds to support a spouse who remains outside the facility, if necessary.

Veterans Affairs

Veterans and their spouses may qualify for health care benefits applicable to their stay at Masonic Pathways. Veterans are encouraged to contact their local Veterans Affairs office for additional information.

SPECIAL NOTES

Elder Law Advice

You may want to seek the advice of an attorney who specializes in elder law, including :
Medicaid and Long Term Care, Power of Attorney, Patient Advocate Designation and Living Will, Wills and Trusts, Veterans Benefits, Probate and Trust Administration, Guardianship and Conservatorship, Medicaid and Long Term Care.

Divestment

The term "divestment" refers to giving away any personal assets that could have been used to pay for your future care. Both Medicaid and the Masonic Advantage Program take measures to preclude people who have divested assets from receiving benefits.

Both programs prohibit divesture at any time during the 60 months immediately prior to receiving benefits and throughout the benefit period. Those who do divest are prohibited from receiving benefits from the date of application for benefits until the date which the divested amount would have been exhausted, had the resident used those funds to pay for his care. Both programs also require regular financial disclosures as condition of continued enrollment.

Masonic Advantages Program

For more information about the Masonic Advantages Program, click here