Assisted living facilities are essential for healthy senior citizens who wish to maintain their independence, with the added security of knowing that help is readily available, if needed. Medicaid is a federal- and state-funded program that caters to low-income seniors who otherwise would not be able to afford assisted living. Each state follows separate guidelines for Medicaid entitlements. Funds are limited, and not every state offers this benefit, so you might have to search around to locate communities that accept Medicaid payments.
How to Find Assisted Living Facilities That Accept Medicaid
Search the Internet using the keywords listed below as a starting point. See the informative links listed under References and Resources for additional guidance and tips. For those with limited computer access or computer knowledge, proceed to the next steps.
Call or visit the nearest Medicaid office and find out if they have a list of local assisted living communities covered by Medicaid. The telephone number and address should be listed in your phone directory under "state government" (for example, "Louisiana State Of..."). A list of toll-free numbers, broken down by state, is included in the Resources section.
Call 2-1-1 to get connected with someone who can aid you in your search. 2-1-1 is a nationwide help line operated by the United Way that provides information and referrals to family health and human services organizations/programs.
Tips
The process of getting your application for subsidized housing approved can be very time-consuming and frustrating. There are strict guidelines for eligibility, extensive paperwork and long waiting lists, in some instances. But, it will be well worth it in the long run if you get an apartment.
References
Writer Bio
Robertine Cobb became a contributing writer for Demand Studios in April 2008. Her articles have been published on eHow, DailyPuppy.com and other well-known self-help sites. Tina is a proud Army veteran with twelve years of honorable service. She worked as a legal assistant for twenty years and now works full-time in the mortgage banking area. She continues to pursue her passion as a freelance writer as often as possible, sharing her life experiences and knowledge to help others.