Nursing Homes in Vermont

Vermont is the country’s second least populous state with a total population of more than 620,000, yet it has a significant senior population, with 20% of its residents 65 and older. The Green Mountain State projects an increase in this age group by 2030, when over one out of four Vermonters are expected to be seniors. Thankfully, Vermont is among the highest ranking states when it comes to health care access, and a large majority of its long-term care facilities accept Medicaid. Likewise, a majority of Vermont’s nursing home residents are Medicaid recipients.

Nursing facilities accommodate individuals who may need 24-hour nursing services in an institutional setting. Based on Genworth Financial’s 2020 Cost of Care Survey, Vermont’s average monthly cost for nursing home care in a semiprivate room costs $9,779, while the private-room option averages $10,311 per month.

This guide offers helpful information about nursing home care in Vermont, its associated costs, available financial support programs and licensing regulations. A list of free statewide resources is also provided.

The Cost of Nursing Home Care in Vermont

Compared to most states in the American Northeast, Vermont is on the moderate side with an average nursing home care cost of $9,779 per month. According to the Genworth Financial’s 2020 Cost of Care Survey, this amount is about $2,000 more than the national average of $7,756. However, Vermont’s neighboring states are significantly more expensive. New Hampshire’s average cost of $10,646 is nearly $900 more expensive than the Green Mountain State, while New York, at $12,319, costs over $2,500 more. Massachusetts is the most expensive bordering state at $12,623, costing seniors approximately $2,800 more per month than Vermont. Maine is less expensive at $9,642, which is only about $130 less. 

Burlington, which is Vermont’s largest city, is more expensive than most areas in the state with an average monthly nursing home care cost of $10,737. This is slightly greater than the average cost of New Hampshire’s Manchester area at $10,646. The nearby New York areas are even more expensive. Glens Falls and Albany, both in New York’s Capital District, have respective nursing home care costs of $14,068 and $12,973. In neighboring Massachusetts, Pittsfield and Springfield have costs of more than $11,100 per month. Seniors opting for Maine can expect to pay $10,220 monthly in the Portland area.

Several noninstitutional care options in Vermont may be considered based on budget and the required level of care. Assisted living at $5,310 costs slightly lower than in-home care and home health care, which cost $5,434 and $5,529, respectively. The costs for these three types of care are somewhat comparable, but assisted living includes monthly accommodations, meals and most utilities. Adult day care at $2,979 is the cheapest option and may be amenable to homebound seniors who need intermittent nursing or moderate levels of medical care instead of 24-hour skilled care.

Does Medicaid Cover Nursing Home Care in Vermont?

The state Medicaid program benefits over 180,000 individuals. Nursing home residents are covered for the cost of nursing care services, along with living accommodations and housekeeping costs. On-site visits with physicians and rehabilitation therapists are also charged to Medicaid, in addition to medically related social and pharmaceutical services.

In Vermont, there are over 160 nursing homes, with over 6,400 beds collectively. There are alternatives for qualifying seniors who need skilled nursing care but may not need to reside in an institutionalized care setting. Choices for Care is Vermont’s Medicaid program dedicated to long-term care services. Through the program, the waiver allows seniors to age in place at home or in other residential settings while also receiving skilled nursing and personal care services.

Medicaid Eligibility in Vermont

There are a few requirements that applicants must meet to qualify for Medicaid coverage. Single applicants’ monthly income can be no more than $2,523 and they can have no more than $2,000 in assets. The income and asset limits are the same if only one spouse is applying; however, the Spousal Impoverishment Act allows the non-applicant to have up to $137,400 in assets. Couples can make up to $5,046 per month and have $4,000 in assets at most.

2022 Medicaid Income Limits for Seniors in Vermont

Along with the financial requirements, applicants must be residents of Vermont and need hospital-level nursing care. To qualify for Medicaid in Vermont, applicants must:

• Be 65 years of age or older
• Be a United States citizen 
• Reside in Vermont

How To Apply for Medicaid in Vermont

Seniors and families can use the Vermont Health Connect website to submit an application or call (855) 899-9600 to request a paper application to send by mail. The program also offers one-on-one assistance with certified application counselors. Directories for professional application counselors can be found on the Find an Assister page. There are some cases when an application may need to be updated or changed due to a lack of proper documentation, which can add three weeks to the waiting period. To avoid a longer wait time, be sure to collect all the necessary documents before starting the application process. 

Information You Will Need:

• Birth certificate
• Medicare cards
• Social Security card or other proof of citizenship, such as a green card
• Proof of earned and unearned income up to 60 months prior to the date of the application
• Bank statements for the previous 60 months
• Proof of private or government pension(s), including a letter of verification from the provider
• Copies of life insurance documents
• Car registration and insurance
• Proof of real properties sold or transferred in the previous 60 months
• VA discharge papers (DD 214) for veteran applicants
• Any other documents supporting the applicant’s claim

Additional Medicaid Support & Resources in Vermont

While the Medicaid application process may seem difficult, there are a few resources for families in Vermont for application assistance, including Medicaid Planning Assistance. Medicaid also manages additional programs, such as Medicare Savings Programs, to help low-income seniors with out-of-pocket medical expenses.

Does Medicare Cover Nursing Home Care in Vermont?

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 Vermont

Medicare may not cover the cost of long-term care, but it can help seniors pay for the first 21 days. This gives families more time to find ways to pay in the long term without delaying care to seniors who need it. Below are a few resources that help seniors learn about Medicare and manage their benefits.

Other Financial Assistance Options for Nursing Home Care in Vermont

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 Vermont

Finding a nursing home placement and ways to pay for care doesn’t have to be a difficult process with the help of professionals from the agencies listed below. The Vermont Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living (DAIL) and the Community of Vermont Elders (COVE) are statewide organizations dedicated to helping seniors apply for benefits that improve quality of life.

COVID-19 Rules for Nursing Homes in Vermont

The following information is based on research done on several government websites, including healthvermont.gov/covid-19. These rules apply to Independent Living Communities and other types of senior living facilities. We’ve most recently updated this data on 2/15/2022, 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 Vermont