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Does the Va Pay for Nursing Home Costs?
Date Updated: December 20, 2024
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Sarah has produced thousands of articles in diverse niches over her decade-long career as a full-time freelance writer. This includes substantial content in the fields of senior care and health care. She has experience writing about wide-ranging topics, such as types of care, care costs, funding options, state Medicaid programs and senior resources.
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Gene Altaffer has a Masters in Gerontology from the University of Southern California and has worked in many avenues along the continuum of long-term care, assisting thousands of clients and their families since 1995. He also sold long-term care insurance from numerous carriers while also assisting families with retirement planning. Gene helps seniors navigate their Medicare plans, ensuring they understand their benefits and options.
The VA may cover full or partial nursing home costs for qualifying veterans. Eligibility criteria related to clinical needs, finances and service history usually apply, and some programs only operate in specific settings and locations. Learn more about VA coverage of nursing home care.
Does the Va Pay for Nursing Home Costs?
Yes, the VA pays for nursing home costs for eligible veterans through three main programs. However, services and coverage may depend on an individual's location. Criteria also vary depending on the setting. Seniors might receive partial funding, meaning they must cover outstanding charges using other means.
How Much Does Nursing Home Care Cost?
According to Genworth’s Cost of Care Survey, the nationwide median cost of nursing home care in 2024 runs $8,669 for a semi-private room and $9,733 for a private room. However, charges vary significantly across the country, and fees depend on the exact services required and a facility’s amenities.
VA Coverage of Nursing Home Costs
Several VA programs provide or pay for nursing home care. The VA operates around 100 Community Living Centers across the United States, and these homes provide skilled nursing care and assistance with activities of daily living in a homelike setting. Veterans must enroll in VA Health and meet eligibility criteria for medical needs, service history and income. Some State Veterans Homes, operated by state agencies and recognized by the VA, provide nursing home care. To qualify, veterans must satisfy clinical-need criteria, and their local home must also have availability. Each state sets admission criteria for such facilities.
The Community Nursing Home program also funds medically necessary care for eligible veterans in community-based nursing homes. Coverage includes 24/7 medical supervision and skilled nursing services, physical and occupational therapies and social services. Homes may also provide memory care, hospice care and rehabilitation therapies.
Other Ways to Pay for Nursing Home Care
Veterans can obtain benefit advice and claim assistance from accredited representatives. Those who don’t qualify for VA coverage of nursing home care or receive partial funding must pay for their care in other ways. Depending on their financial situation and functional needs, veterans may qualify for Medicaid. Additionally, Medicare may pay for short-term nursing home stays. Senior homeowners may consider a reverse mortgage to free up home equity, and sometimes, veterans must use their private income and savings to pay for nursing facility care.