Memory Care in Montana

Table of Contents

Memory Care in Montana

Table of Contents

• The Cost of Memory Care in Montana
• Montana Medicaid Programs for Memory Care
• Can You Use Medicare To Pay for Memory Care in Montana?
• More Ways to Pay for Memory Care in Montana
• Memory Care Laws and Regulations in Montana
• Free and Low-Cost Resources for Seniors in Montana
• Montana COVID-19 Rules for Memory Care Facilities

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When figuring out how to pay for memory care, you first need to understand how much it will cost for your loved one to move to a quality community. As costs continue to rise, it's vital to have the latest details when planning for elderly care costs. In order to shed light on the impact of inflation on senior living costs, MemoryCare.com has gathered cost information from its network of over 75,000 senior living communities. These prices are based on the cost of Memory Care in Montana and 2 other cities in Montana.

How Inflation Has Impacted the Cost of Memory Care in Montana

Inflation has increased the cost of memory care throughout the United States, increasing it to $5,369 in 2023. However, Montana is one of the few states where prices fell, with care expenses dropping nearly 3.5%. Nearby states weren't so fortunate, as North Dakota's increased 62%, and the average cost in Wyoming hit $6,020. Prices jumped 21.5% in Idaho but only increased by 9.8% in Washington — just below the average increase that occurred nationwide.

Trends predict additional memory care price fluctuations leading into 2024, when Montana's average may rise 6.5%. However, Idaho's could fall slightly to $5,151.

Memory Care Costs in Montana's Top Cities

Memory care costs range from a low of $5,635 in Kalispell to a high of $7,270 in Billings, with limited figures available for other cities. As such, families might consider seeking care in popular cities across Montana's borders. Boise, ID, averages $5,525, while Fargo, ND, where costs are typically $5,815, can be another ideal location for seniors who want to ensure their finances go further.

The Cost of Other Types of Senior Living

Seniors with mild memory loss may not require memory care at first, so it's worthwhile to consider other options, too. However, care costs vary in Montana, starting at $2,714 for independent living, which usually provides minimal personal care. Assisted living offers greater attention from caregivers, resulting in a higher price of $5,257, while memory care provides the most assistance and supervision, leading to an average cost of $5,822.

The state Medicaid program in Montana covers medically necessary services for eligible residents based on the individual's income and other factors, but coverage for memory care isn't included as part of that plan. Access to this and other Medicaid-funded services may be granted via the Big Sky Waiver, which is outlined below. For the purposes of this guide, all Medicaid eligibility requirements and other details relate specifically to seniors and/or people with disabilities.

• Who Is Eligible: Low-income Montana residents aged 65 or over and people with blindness or disabilities as defined by Social Security are eligible for this program.
• How To Apply: The official Apply.MT.gov website handles online applications, notifications and document requests during the process. Montana residents can also call the Office of Public Assistance at (888) 706-1535 or visit a local branch.

Big Sky Waiver

This Medicaid waiver program opens up the possibility of receiving coverage for memory care, along with other long-term care services that may be covered as appropriate. All coverage of services from Big Sky is determined based on the functional abilities and requirements of each applicant. To qualify for Medicaid-funded long-term care via this waiver, an individual must require the type of care associated with a nursing facility, although the goal of this program is to avoid such placement.

• Who Is Eligible: Waiver recipients must be financially and otherwise eligible for Medicaid and require a nursing facility level of care. Additionally, the individual must be assessed as having unmet needs specific to the requested services.
• How To Apply: Medicaid recipients can call Mountain Pacific Quality Health at (800) 219-7035 to begin the application process. Applications and eligibility determinations can also be made at OPA field offices.

Medicaid Eligibility for Seniors in Montana

The income limit for a single applicant in Montana is equal to the SSI Federal Payment Amount, which changes every January. As of 2022, the monthly amount is $841 and, as such, a single applicant for Medicaid can earn no more than $10,092 per year and possess no more than $2,000 in countable assets.

2022 Medicaid Income Limits for Seniors in Montana

Applicants should also be ready to provide documentation on the following points as well as others relevant to the individual and their request for services.

• State residency
• Immigration status
• Identification (name, date of birth, address and SSN)

How To Get Help Applying for Medicaid in Montana

Various state and local resources are available at no cost to help Montanans get access to Medicaid and other public programs or benefits. These websites also contain useful information related to Medicaid that may clear up some questions.

Unfortunately, Medicare does not generally cover the cost of Memory Care. Most Memory Care Facilities are considered to be "social settings," so Medicare does not cover the cost incurred in these facilities. The only exception to that is if you are receiving memory care services in a Nursing Home. While this situation is much less common, Medicare would sometimes cover the cost, depending on a number of circumstances.

That being said, Medicare does still cover qualified doctor visits, medications, etc., as it would if you were still at home, but it will not cover the cost of care received at the Memory Care Facility.

In addition to the state programs mentioned above, those looking for resources to finance memory care may consider:

• Long-Term Care Insurance: Depending on the policy details, long-term care insurance may be used to pay for memory care services. It's best to sign up for a policy early, as coverage will likely be denied if one already has long-term care needs. More information about the intricacies of long-term care insurance can be found at longtermcare.acl.gov.
• Reverse Mortgages: Reverse mortgages allow some homeowners to take out a loan as an advance from the eventual sale of their primary residence. This can be a good way to fund memory care in the short-term, but the loans will need to be paid back after the sale of the home. The most commonly used type of reverse mortgages for seniors is the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage, which is the only reverse mortgage insured by the federal government.
• Veterans Benefits: The Department of Veterans Affairs offers several programs that veterans and their spouses may use to cover health care needs such as memory care. More information about these programs can be found on the VA website.

Memory Care Regulation

Montana's memory care and assisted living facilities are licensed and regulated by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. It's the responsibility of this department to ensure that all facilities comply with state laws and administrative rules by requiring a comprehensive licensing process and conducting regular inspections. In Montana, seniors with mild to moderate dementia may qualify for care in a category A or category B assisted living facility. Only category C assisted living facilities may provide memory care for individuals who are unable to make their own care decisions.

Facility Scope of Care

Services that must be provided to residents in Montana memory care facilities include:

• Personal care and assistance with daily tasks
• Assistance with medication administration by a licensed health care professional
• Regular health assessments
• At least three meals per day at regular times
• Social activities and entertainment
• Local transportation to and from health care services and social activities
• Housekeeping and laundry services by staff who are trained in proper procedures

Admissions Requirements

Category C assisted living facilities may provide full-time, residential care to seniors who require assistance with activities of daily living and need continuous help with cognitive tasks due to dementia. The following table shows the stipulations regarding who may or may not be admitted to an assisted living facility.

Residents Who May Be Admitted

Older adults and people with:

• Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia
• Physical or developmental disabilities
• The need for supplemental care from third-party providers

Residents Who May NOT Be Admitted

Those who:

• Are incapable of responding to their environment or interacting with those around them
• Require continuous nursing care

Care Plan Requirements

Residents must be provided with a detailed health care plan within 21 days of admission to a memory care facility. The plan must include the following:

• An evaluation of the individual's cognitive and physical health
• An order for treatment or services, including medications and diet
• The resident's dietary preferences
• Specific goals of treatment and measures to be used in assessing success
• Information about any additional care required by the resident

Medication Management Requirements

In Montana, the law requires memory care facilities to store all prescription drugs in locked containers in a secured room or medication cart. If residents are self-administering their medications, they must be provided with a secure storage place. Unused medications must be disposed of, safely and lawfully.

In category C assisted living facilities, direct care staff members who are administering medications must be trained and licensed to do so. When providing residents with medications, they must verify that the drugs are offered according to a practitioner's current order and ensure that all dispensed medications are taken from labeled prescription containers.

Facility Requirements

Montana's category C assisted living facilities must be secure and locked at all times. Additionally, if the facility offers other categories of care, they must have dining and day or activity areas for memory care residents that are separate from the remainder of the facility's residents.

Staffing Requirements

In Montana, facility administrators are responsible for overseeing the hiring of all direct care and support staff. Administrators must work with the Montana Department of Public Health to develop safe policies and procedures for hiring, including a system for conducting background and reference checks. At all times, the facility must have a sufficient number of qualified staff on duty to meet the needs of residents.

All employees at assisted living and memory care facilities in Montana must complete orientation and on-site training. They also must be provided with an overview of policies and procedures, their job description and the services that the facility provides. All direct care staff must be trained in the abdominal thrust maneuver, basic first aid and CPR.

Medicaid Policy

Although there is no requirement in the state, most assisted living and memory care facilities in Montana accept Medicaid payments. Montana Medicaid's Big Sky waiver program may cover the cost of memory care services; However, the program does not cover room-and-board charges.

Reporting Abuse

Seniors or their loved ones can report abuse in long-term care facilities by contacting the Long-Term Care Ombudsman at 800-332-2272 or the Department of Public Health at 844-277-9300.

In Montana, there is an abundance of resources designed to assist seniors throughout their retirement. MemoryCare.com has compiled information on a range of local organizations, programs, and agencies, categorizing them based on the care services they offer for easy browsing.

Area Agency on Aging

The Area Agency on Aging in is a crucial asset for retired individuals, providing advice on financial assistance, home-based care, and planning for extended care. It also connects seniors and their caregivers with local resources.

Cash Assistance Programs

Financial assistance initiatives exist in Montana to help seniors with low income sustain their home living. These initiatives provide tax reductions, discounts on crucial services, and aid for home temperature regulation costs.

Financial Assistance for Senior Care and Senior Living

Elderly individuals in Montana, living independently or in elderly care homes, can avail of numerous local financial support opportunities. These aid options help reduce in-home or long-term care costs and connect them to valuable community resources.

Food Assistance Programs

In Montana, numerous community programs focus on enhancing the health of seniors via proper diet. These initiatives provide meal delivery, shared meals, and food bank services, guaranteeing that older citizens can obtain reasonably priced, healthy food.

Free Used Medical Equipment

In Montana, several organizations are tackling the high cost of new medical devices. They collect lightly used equipment such as wheelchairs, ramps, and walkers, distributing them to local elderly and those requiring assistance.

Health Insurance & Prescription Drug Coverage for Seniors

Elderly residents of Montana with certain income brackets have access to local aid for prescription medication expenses. They might also be eligible for health coverage and other programs providing complimentary or reduced-cost healthcare services.

Home Repair and Modifications

In Montana, a variety of programs exist to support seniors and those with disabilities in funding home improvements and repairs. These initiatives, providing grants or loans, feature different eligibility criteria tailored for retired individuals.

Social Security Offices

In Montana, Social Security offices are crucial resources for the elderly and those with disabilities. They provide advice on retirement perks, disability benefits, and additional security income.

Tax Assistance

In Montana, a variety of tax assistance options exist for seniors and people with disabilities. These encompass possible medical cost exemptions, property tax cuts, and other tax alleviation measures.

Utility & Energy Bill Assistance

In Montana, there are establishments ready to assist seniors with limited income facing challenges with home upkeep expenses, such as energy and utility bills. Emergency financial support might be available for individuals threatened with utility disconnection due to outstanding payments.

Veteran's Services

In Montana, retired military personnel can find essential support through local veteran services. These organizations help veterans access their deserved benefits and offer advice on a variety of issues.

Note: The following information was compiled and most recently updated on 2/8/2022. Since COVID-19 is a rapidly evolving crisis, be sure to contact your Memory Care Facility or local Area Agency on Aging for the most up-to-date information.