Using VA Benefits to Pay for Nursing Home Care | Trumbull Elder Law Attorney
- By Franklin A. Drazen
- Posted August 26, 2021
Everyone knows that nursing home care can cause financial strain for seniors and even their children. That’s why the federal government created programs like Medicare and Medicaid, which are there to help seniors get the care they need. Beyond these two programs, there are many others that help specific groups of people and seniors, the most common of which is meant specifically for veterans and is administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, commonly known as the VA.
All veterans who served in the United States armed forces while on active service and received any discharge from service other than a dishonorable discharge can receive VA Health Care benefits, which cover doctor and specialist visits, mental health care services, in-patient hospital stays and – perhaps most importantly – short-term and extended stays in nursing homes.
The VA provides skilled nursing home benefits to veterans who suffer from both service-connected disabilities and non-service-connected afflictions. The level of benefits varies, so it’s important to speak with a Trumbull elder law attorney who has experience navigating the ins and outs of VA benefits. They will be able to determine what type of skilled nursing home care is available to you through the VA.
There are a large variety of care centers that work with veterans who receive VA health benefits, including community living centers, contract nursing homes, and state veteran facilities. These skilled care centers provide different types and levels of care, all of which are determined by the veteran’s eligibility requirements. For instance, community living centers often require admitted veterans to be both medically and psychiatrically stable and are usually located within VA Medical Centers.
On the other hand, contract nursing homes are meant for veterans who have been discharged from VA hospitals. Both have time limits attached which are usually dependent on the resources available in the care centers. State veterans’ homes are run by the state, as the name implies, and receive funding through the VA. These care centers provide the most options to veterans since they include nursing home, hospital, and adult day care services.
Want to learn more about the VA medical benefits available to your loved ones who may be eligible? Or do you need help determining your elderly loved one’s VA Health Care eligibility status? Please contact us at (203) 877-7511 to set up a consultation with a Trumbull elder law attorney. We will be happy to direct you to resources in the area that are best suited for your family.
