*Please note: This information is provided for educational purposes only. The availability of each program is determined by that government agency and the individual’s situation. Please consult directly with your insurance company or the government program.

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Frequently, senior adults who need long-term care will find it difficult to rise from bed, take a bath and groom themselves without assistance. They require help in order to perform these daily tasks and other tasks throughout the day. Once they realize these needs, they are faced with the question: what are our options in terms of long-term care insurance, what options do we have for covering the cost of long-term health care?

Below we have offered a brief explanation of some of the resources that people facing this same question. Each option is varied in terms of requirement, cost and coverage, so Avamere suggests that you see a financial consultant or insurance advisor in addition to referencing the resources described below.

Oregon Long-Term Care Insurance

People will often plan in advance and buy Oregon health insurance prior to needing it and therefore at a more affordable cost. The Oregon long-term care insurance policies are more complex in comparison to the regular insurance policies that you're familiar with, such as vehicle, life and homeowners insurance. When researching long-term care insurance, you'll want to understand what physical and medical condition a senior will need to be in before insurance will kick in.

For further information go to: www.longtermcare.gov

Oregon Reverse Mortgage

An Oregon reverse mortgage is a fairly new program that some seniors over age 62 rely on. The plan enables seniors to convert part of the equity in their homes into tax-free cash without having to sell, give up their title, or take on a new monthly mortgage payment. In an Oregon reverse mortgage the payment stream is "reversed." Instead of making monthly payments to a lender, a lender makes payments to the senior allowing them to remain in the home, or move into a long-term care facility.

For more information go to: http://www.reversemortgage.org/

Oregon Medicare Helps with Short-Term Care Costs

Medicate is a federal health-insurance program that covers most Americans over the age of 65. It helps pay for short-term medical expenses, such as hospitalization, doctor bills, x-rays, radiation, and a variety of other tests and therapies. A copayment for a part of the expenses may be required. However, Medicare does not pay for nonmedical care, such as long-term care and assistance with daily living activities, expect for a few instances as summarized below:

Hospitalization:

To qualify for Oregon Medicare, a senior citizen must have spent three nights in the hospital and must enter the nursing home within thirty days for rehabilitation for the condition for which they were hospitalized.
If conditions are met, Medicare fully covers the first twenty days of long-term care and partially covers up to the next eighty days.

Days	What Medicare Pays	What You Pay
1-20	Full cost	Nothing
21-100	All but a daily copayment	A daily copayment
Beyond 100	Nothing	Full cost

Other Considerations:

Oregon Medicare payments will continue as long as a senior is in a skilled rehabilitation program that is producing results, such as improved health, strength, coordination and flexibility. Once skilled rehabilitation is no longer effective in improving a senior's condition, Medicare will stop paying - even if it's still within 100 days.

Families need to be strong advocates at the hospital for getting a senior into a nursing home if the family is unable care for them at home.

Oregon Medicaid Helps with Paying for Long-Term Care

If one must enter a nursing home or long-term care facility, they may qualify for Oregon Medicaid once their assets have been depleted.

For those over the age of 65, Oregon Medicaid helps pay for nursing home costs once a senior has exhausted all, or almost all, of their own means. Oregon Medicaid generally pays for care in a certified-nursing home. Since regulations vary from state to state, check this government site then select "Medicaid/Medicare" for the rules in your state. Once a senior citizen qualifies for Medicaid benefits, they will have to pay any remaining monthly income, such as social security or pension checks, to the nursing home. Oregon Medicaid only pays the difference between the senior's remaining income and the nursing home's monthly charge.

Find out more about Oregon state health insurance by contacting an insurance or financial consultant.