Nursing Homes in North Dakota

Stretching across the Great Plains, the midwestern state of North Dakota is home to more than 760,000 people, around 16%, or 120,000, of whom are seniors aged 65 and older. North Dakota offers a variety of features that support happy and healthy retirement living, including a plethora of outdoor recreational opportunities, low crime rates and access to 47 hospitals, including Sanford Medical Center Bismarck, CHI St. Alexius Health Bismarck and Sanford Medical Center Fargo, which was named the best hospital in North Dakota by U.S. News.

Nursing homes are one option for seniors who require long-term care. In these facilities, seniors receive 24-hour care and supervision from trained nursing professionals. According to Genworth Financial’s 2020 Cost of Care Survey, seniors can expect to pay an average of $12,167 per month for a semiprivate room in a nursing home, while a private room costs $12,764.

This guide provides an overview of nursing home costs in North Dakota compared to nearby states and the nation as a whole. It also includes information about financial assistance and the laws and regulations that nursing homes in North Dakota must abide by, as well as a list of resources available to seniors and their caregivers.

The Cost of Nursing Home Care in North Dakota

Nursing home care in North Dakota is considered very expensive compared to other U.S. states. According to Genworth Financial’s 2020 Cost of Care Survey, seniors can expect to pay an average of $12,167 per month for a semiprivate room in a nursing home, which is significantly higher than the national average of $7,756. North Dakota is one of the costliest states in the region. Even Minnesota, which costs an average of $11,026 per month is still over $1,000 cheaper than North Dakota. Wyoming and Montana are significantly more affordable, with average monthly costs of $8,258 and $7,665, respectively. Just below North Dakota, South Dakota is the least expensive option at $7,011.

Nursing home costs can vary greatly from city to city based on a variety of factors, such as population, location, cost of living and access to health care. The state’s highest nursing home rates are in Grand Forks, where seniors can expect to pay an average of $11,365 per month. To the south in Fargo, costs are slightly lower at an average of $10,942. The state’s least expensive nursing home care is found in the capital city of Bismark, where seniors can expect to pay around $10,646 per month.

Seniors in North Dakota have additional options for long-term care, depending on the level of care and attention they require. These include in-home care, home health care, adult day care and assisted living care. For seniors who only require basic daytime care services, adult day care is an affordable option at an average cost of $2,245 per month. Seniors who wish to remain in their own homes have the option of homemaker services for $5,335 per month. Those who require light medical care may benefit from home health care, which costs an average of $5,529 monthly. Seniors who need comprehensive full-time care but are not yet ready for a nursing home may opt for an assisted living facility, which costs an average of $4,096 per month.

Does Medicaid Cover Nursing Home Care in North Dakota?

Over 114,000 North Dakota residents are now enrolled in Medicaid, thanks to the recent Medicaid Expansion program. Seniors residing in nursing home facilities can use the plan to finance room and board, nursing care, medical supplies, wheelchairs and medical equipment. North Dakota recipients can also use Medicaid to cover the costs of certain therapies.

There are 79 licensed nursing homes in the state, of which 77 accept Medicaid. These facilities provide over 5,000 beds that allow seniors throughout the state to receive attentive long-term care from licensed medical professionals. The Basic Care Assistance Program enables senior citizens to cover a portion of their nursing care costs and other personal expenses. Furthermore, the Medicaid Waiver for Home and Community Based Services is available to individuals wishing to receive nursing care while remaining in their own homes and communities.

Medicaid Eligibility in North Dakota

To receive Medicaid, seniors must meet eligibility criteria relating to their finances and medical needs. Applications can easily be filed online by submitting an Application for Assistance form through the North Dakota Human Services website. From here, the application is directed to a Human Service Zone office or the Medical Service Division of the Department of Human Services, which will issue a decision within 45 days.

Generally speaking, any individual who’s blind, disabled or over the age of 65 will qualify for Medicaid so long as their income and countable assets are within the limits below. In order to receive Medicaid coverage, a single applicant should have a net annual income of less than $18,075. In addition, the applicant shouldn’t have countable assets exceeding $3,000. In a household of two people where both are applying, their income shouldn’t exceed $24,353, and they shouldn’t have countable assets valued over $6,000. 

The Spousal Impoverishment Prevention Coverage is available to couples where only one individual is seeking long-term care. In this scenario, the applicant may retain up to $3,000 in assets. From the date the applicant receives long-term care, the spouse who remains in the community may keep up to half of all remaining assets. There are both minimum and maximum amounts that the community spouse may retain in assets, and these are reviewed annually by North Dakota Human Services.

2022 Medicaid Income Limits for Seniors in North Dakota

*Per year

Any individual wishing to apply to the program must:

• Be an American citizen or legal resident
• Reside in North Dakota

How To Apply for Medicaid in North Dakota

Seniors interested in receiving Medicaid have several options available to them for the application process. Individuals can submit their documentation through the North Dakota Human Services website, request a mail-in form or manually return their application to their nearest Human Service Zone office. Once the online or paper form is received, a decision will be made within 45 days. Applicants can receive retroactive coverage for up to 3 months before the date of their application, so long as the services received were from a registered Medicaid provider in North Dakota and all eligibility requirements were met during this period.

Information You Will Need

• Social Security card
• Proof of age and identity (such as a birth certificate or driver’s license)
• Proof of alien or citizenship status (such as a resident card, employment authorization card, passport, American birth certificate or an American Indian or Alaskan Native Tribal Document)
• Proof of all income including self-employment income, money from friends or relatives and spousal support 
• Proof of income derived from benefit programs (such as workers’ compensation, veterans’ benefits and unemployment benefits)
• Proof of assets including real property, savings bonds, stocks, bonds and mutual funds
• Proof of expenses (such as court-ordered payments or health insurance premiums)
• Life insurance documentation
• Any other documents the applicant thinks may support their file

Additional Medicaid Support and Resources in North Dakota

A number of resources are available to North Dakotans who are in the Medicaid application process. The table below provides a brief description of their services and contact details.

Does Medicare Cover Nursing Home Care in North Dakota?

Medicare provides limited coverage for short-term stays in a skilled nursing facility following a hospital stay, but seniors must meet a number of specific requirements. This benefit is available to beneficiaries who have been hospitalized for at least three days, excluding the date of discharge, so it’s most valuable for those who are recovering from an injury, illness or surgery.

Once seniors meet the hospitalization requirement, Medicare will pay for up to 100 days of skilled nursing per benefit period. The first 20 days are covered in full. Starting on day 21, beneficiaries must pay a daily coinsurance rate. After day 100, seniors are responsible for the entire cost.

What Does Medicare Cover?

Medicare covers a number of specific services, including:

• Meals
• A semiprivate room
• Medications
• Skilled nursing
• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Speech therapy
• Audiologist care
• Medical supplies
• Medical social services
• Nutritional counseling
• Ambulance transportation

What Isn’t Covered by Medicare?

Medicare does not cover long-term custodial care that addresses seniors’ day-to-day needs. This includes help with daily activities, such as bathing, dressing and using medical equipment.

For more information about Medicare and when it covers Nursing Home Care, read our Guide to Nursing Homes.

Medicare Support and Resources in North Dakota

When seniors and their loved ones are looking for long-term care in North Dakota, there may be great consideration to how much of their costs can be covered by Medicare. There are several government agencies and nonprofit organizations that can guide the applicant through the process and direct them to the financial support they need. Many of these are available to North Dakotans free of charge and are available on a 24/7 basis.

Other Financial Assistance Options for Nursing Home Care in North Dakota

While Medicaid and Medicare are two of the most common programs used to pay for Nursing Home Care, there are other financial assistance options available, depending on your unique situation.

Free and Low-Cost Resources for Seniors in North Dakota

Finding long-term care and funding for a loved one can be a lengthy process. Thankfully, North Dakota has a wealth of low-cost or free resources to help individuals navigate the system with ease.

COVID-19 Rules for Nursing Homes in North Dakota

The following information is based on research done on several government websites, including health.nd.gov. These rules apply to Independent Living Communities and other types of senior living facilities. We’ve most recently updated this data on 2/13/2022, but since COVID-19 is a rapidly evolving pandemic, contact your local senior living facility or Area Agency on Aging for more specific and up-to-date information.

Visitation Policies

Outings & Social Activities

COVID-19 Safety Measures for Staff and Residents

Nursing Home Laws and Regulations in North Dakota