Texas has become popular among many retirees due to its long and warm summers, conservative lifestyle and many diverse attractions. The state is also desirable for its quality hospitals and geriatric care, but what about the cost of Assisted Living?
What Retirees Can Expect to Pay
Living costs are always subject to change, but the Senior Living Report for 2022 rates Texas as 45th. The state has excellent transportation infrastructure with no income tax, which means retirees that relocate here will conserve more of their retirement funds. Currently, Assisted Living costs just under $4,000 a month on average, which is $500 less than the American average. This means it is ideal for those that have lower incomes.
When speaking about Assisted Living costs, it is important to know what that entails. These services include things such as housing, transport, medication scheduling, housekeeping and maintenance and assistance with basic daily tasks such as bathing and grooming. Texas is more affordable than neighboring New Mexico.
Costs will Differ Based on Area
It should also be noted that the cost for Assisted Living is not uniform across the state, and will vary based on region. For instance, retirees that relocate to cities such as Waco and Texarkana will pay much lower fees than the state average, at $2,800 per month versus $4,000, while other areas such as Victoria and Austin have rates which are higher than the state average at over $5,000 per month.
What Specific Care Options are Available?
There are numerous care options available to those that settle in Texas. Examples of these include residential and at home care, which can be ideal for those who have fixed incomes but want to remain in their residences. Adult daycare is widely considered the most affordable option, which costs an average of $769 monthly. Residents who choose this option can arrange visitation several times a week, but will not have access to the around the clock care that is given to those that relocate into an Assisted Living community. The choice you make should depend on your current state of health and the level of assistance needed.
Can Medicaid Be used For Texas Assisted Living?
Medicaid doesn’t directly provide coverage for Texas Assisted Living. However, retirees who have eligibility for it can acquire assistance via a STAR+PLUS based waiver. This way, services can be offered through managed care organizations which enable Medicaid support via a health plan that is individually selected. The waiver phases out the older community based alternative one, and covers a much broader range of extended term services, including non-medical and medical assistance. For retirees that require home level nursing care, the waiver enables services to be offered within their residence as well as residential communities. Additional core services which are offered include:
- Dental treatment
- Specialized, intermittent or skilled nursing
- Speech and cognitive rehabilitation
- Transition support
- Emergency response
- Medication supplies and management
In order to gain eligibility for a STAR+PLUS waiver, retirees must be sixty five years or age or above and manifest a disability. They will also need to meet the necessary financial criteria and medical requirements.
