Columbus Hospice

Article: How to get Medicare and Medicaid to Pay for Assisted Living

Description

Columbus Hospice, located in Georgia, boasts an impressive 43-year history of providing compassionate care. As a nonprofit community, they approach the realm of serious illnesses with a profound commitment, addressing not only the physical aspects but also the emotional, spiritual, and mental well-being of their patients. Their mission revolves around enhancing the quality of life for individuals in their care.
To fulfill this, they assemble a dedicated team consisting of physicians, nurses, certified nursing assistants, social workers, home health aides, bereavement counselors, chaplains, and volunteers. Their goal is to ensure comfort and support during the end-of-life stage, a service that every patient truly deserves. Moreover, Columbus Hospice pays special tribute to veterans.

Claim What’s Yours: Financial Aid for Georgia Seniors

Program

State Program Name

Eligibility

Benefits

Community Care Services Program

Georgia Medicaid CCSP

General: Age 65+ or disabled, Georgia resident, Medicaid-eligible, nursing home-level care need.
Income Limits (2025): ~$2,829/month (300% FBR, individual).
Asset Limits: $2,000 (individual), $3,000 (couple).
GA Specifics: High rural demand; waitlists possible.

Services: Personal care (5-7 hours/day), adult day care (~$75/day), respite (240 hours/year), meals.

Respite Care Program

Georgia NFCSP Respite

General: Caregiver of someone 60+ (or with dementia), Georgia resident.
Income Limits: No strict limit; prioritizes low-income.
Asset Limits: Not applicable.
GA Specifics: Focus on metro and rural balance.

Services: In-home aide (4-6 hours/day), adult day care (~$75/day), facility stay (up to 5 days).

Home and Community Services (HCS)

Georgia Home and Community Services (Non-Medicaid)

General: Age 60+, Georgia resident, functionally impaired, at risk of nursing home placement.
Income Limits (2025): No strict limit; prioritizes ~$41,000/year; cost-sharing for higher incomes.
Asset Limits: Not specified; need-based.
GA Specifics: Non-Medicaid; AAA-managed.

Services: Personal care (4-6 hours/day), homemaker, adult day care ($80/day), respite (~5 days/year).

Medicare Savings Program (MSP)

Georgia Medicare Savings Program

General: Age 65+ or disabled, Georgia resident, Medicare Part A/B.
Income Limits (2025): ~$2,510/month (QMB), ~$3,380/month (SLMB), ~$3,598/month (QI).
Asset Limits: $9,430 (individual), $14,130 (couple).
GA Specifics: Three tiers; entitlement benefit.

Services: Covers Part B premiums ($174.70/month), deductibles ($240/year), copays (~20%).

Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)

Georgia Medicaid PACE

General: Age 55+, Georgia resident, nursing home-level care need, safe with PACE support.
Income Limits (2025): ~$2,829/month (300% FBR).
Asset Limits: $2,000 (individual), $3,000 (couple).
GA Specifics: Limited areas (e.g., Macon, Augusta).

Services: Personal care (5-7 hours/day), medical care, meals, transportation, therapy.

Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)

Georgia SCSEP (Federally Funded, State-Administered)

General: Age 55+, unemployed, low-income, Georgia resident.
Income Limits (2025): ~$1,983/month (125% FPL).
Asset Limits: Not specified; income-focused.
GA Specifics: ~1,200 slots; prioritizes veterans, rural residents.

Services: Paid training (~20 hours/week at ~$7.25/hour), job placement.

SOURCE (Service Options Using Resources in a Community Environment)

Georgia Medicaid SOURCE Program

General: Age 65+ or disabled, Georgia resident, Medicaid-eligible, frail but not necessarily nursing home-level.
Income Limits (2025): ~$914/month (SSI level); QIT allowed.
Asset Limits: $2,000 (individual), $3,000 (couple).
GA Specifics: Enhanced primary care model; statewide via 12 sites.

Services: Personal care (4-6 hours/day), case management, adult day health ($80/day), respite (limited).

Optional State Supplementation (OSS)

Georgia Optional State Supplementation

General: Age 65+ or disabled, Georgia resident, in approved facility, low-income/SSI recipient.
Income Limits (2025): ~$1,004/month (including SSI).
Asset Limits: $2,000 (individual), $3,000 (couple).
GA Specifics: ~$20-$489/month based on facility type.

Services: Cash (~$20-$489/month) for room/board in personal care homes.

Claim What’s Yours Financial Aid for Georgia Seniors

Georgia Medicaid CCSP

Community Care Services Program

Eligibility

General: Age 65+ or disabled, Georgia resident, Medicaid-eligible, nursing home-level care need.
Income Limits (2025): ~$2,829/month (300% FBR, individual).
Asset Limits: $2,000 (individual), $3,000 (couple).
GA Specifics: High rural demand; waitlists possible.

Benefits

Services: Personal care (5-7 hours/day), adult day care (~$75/day), respite (240 hours/year), meals.

Georgia NFCSP Respite

Respite Care Program

Eligibility

General: Caregiver of someone 60+ (or with dementia), Georgia resident.
Income Limits: No strict limit; prioritizes low-income.
Asset Limits: Not applicable.
GA Specifics: Focus on metro and rural balance.

Benefits

Services: In-home aide (4-6 hours/day), adult day care (~$75/day), facility stay (up to 5 days).

Georgia Home and Community Services (Non-Medicaid)

Home and Community Services (HCS)

Eligibility

General: Age 60+, Georgia resident, functionally impaired, at risk of nursing home placement.
Income Limits (2025): No strict limit; prioritizes ~$41,000/year; cost-sharing for higher incomes.
Asset Limits: Not specified; need-based.
GA Specifics: Non-Medicaid; AAA-managed.

Benefits

Services: Personal care (4-6 hours/day), homemaker, adult day care ($80/day), respite (~5 days/year).

Georgia Medicare Savings Program

Medicare Savings Program (MSP)

Eligibility

General: Age 65+ or disabled, Georgia resident, Medicare Part A/B.
Income Limits (2025): ~$2,510/month (QMB), ~$3,380/month (SLMB), ~$3,598/month (QI).
Asset Limits: $9,430 (individual), $14,130 (couple).
GA Specifics: Three tiers; entitlement benefit.

Benefits

Services: Covers Part B premiums ($174.70/month), deductibles ($240/year), copays (~20%).

Georgia Medicaid PACE

Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)

Eligibility

General: Age 55+, Georgia resident, nursing home-level care need, safe with PACE support.
Income Limits (2025): ~$2,829/month (300% FBR).
Asset Limits: $2,000 (individual), $3,000 (couple).
GA Specifics: Limited areas (e.g., Macon, Augusta).

Benefits

Services: Personal care (5-7 hours/day), medical care, meals, transportation, therapy.

Georgia SCSEP (Federally Funded, State-Administered)

Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)

Eligibility

General: Age 55+, unemployed, low-income, Georgia resident.
Income Limits (2025): ~$1,983/month (125% FPL).
Asset Limits: Not specified; income-focused.
GA Specifics: ~1,200 slots; prioritizes veterans, rural residents.

Benefits

Services: Paid training (~20 hours/week at ~$7.25/hour), job placement.

Georgia Medicaid SOURCE Program

SOURCE (Service Options Using Resources in a Community Environment)

Eligibility

General: Age 65+ or disabled, Georgia resident, Medicaid-eligible, frail but not necessarily nursing home-level.
Income Limits (2025): ~$914/month (SSI level); QIT allowed.
Asset Limits: $2,000 (individual), $3,000 (couple).
GA Specifics: Enhanced primary care model; statewide via 12 sites.

Benefits

Services: Personal care (4-6 hours/day), case management, adult day health ($80/day), respite (limited).

Georgia Optional State Supplementation

Optional State Supplementation (OSS)

Eligibility

General: Age 65+ or disabled, Georgia resident, in approved facility, low-income/SSI recipient.
Income Limits (2025): ~$1,004/month (including SSI).
Asset Limits: $2,000 (individual), $3,000 (couple).
GA Specifics: ~$20-$489/month based on facility type.