With support from the Commonwealth Fund, the National Senior Citizens Law Center undertook an extensive study of federal and state Medicaid policies for assisted living coverage – with a special focus on how such policies impact the lives of low-income older adults.
Residents Can Be Evicted When Hospitalized Temporarily
Low-income older adults who rely on Medicaid to assist them in paying for care in an assisted living facility risk eviction if they leave the facility because of a temporary hospitalization or for some other reason. Medicaid payments for assisted living are based on a belief that such facilities provide a home-like alternative to nursing homes. But, federal and state Medicaid rules governing such issues as holding a room if a resident is absent temporarily are often inadequate…NSCLC makes several recommendations…
Facilities Should Follow Same Rules as Other Providers
The federal government should take a more active role in oversight of assisted living facilities in light of current common practice that allows the facilities to kick out or refuse to admit people who are eligible for Medicaid, even though the facilities are approved to participate in Medicaid. The Medicaid program is a shared federal/state program for those with limited income.