costs are high and paying for a nursing home is sometimes difficult, both emotionally and financially. Can you afford suitable care for your loved one? The following highlights important points on paying for costs.



* Health Plans - Some health plans pay Nursing Home costs if the it is an approved facility. Check with your loved one's health plan to know if their facility is covered.

* Long-Term Care Insurance - Long-term care plans will pay some or all costs. They are private policies with varying degrees of benefits and payments. Contact The National Association of Insurance Commissioners at www.naic.org for more detail on long-term care insurance. Request a copy of their free guide, "A Shopper's Guide to Long-Term Care Insurance".

* Medicare - Medicare will pay some costs under certain conditions. Medicare beneficiaries must go to a Medicare certified facility after a hospital stay of at least three days. For more information about Medicare's guidelines, contact the State Health Insurance Assistance Program or Medicare Fiscal Intermediary in your state. Check Medicare's website at www.medicare.gov. Request a copy of Medicare's "Guide to Health Insurance for People with Medicare".

* Personal Savings - Many residents and their families pay Aged Care costs from personal savings. Once a resident has spent their funds and assets to pay for care, residents usually become eligible for Medicaid.

* Medicaid - Medicaid is a program for people with low income and limited assets. Medicaid will pay most costs for those who qualify and live in a Medicaid certified facility. Every state has different qualifications for Medicaid, so contact the State Health Insurance Assistance Program or Medicaid office in your area. For contact information, check the Department Health and Human Services website at www.cms.hhs.gov/home/medicaid.asp.

* Medigap - Medigap, private Medicare Supplemental Insurance, pays for gaps in insurance, like deductibles, not covered by Medicare. Medigap plans usually pay for elderly care, but only in a Medicare approved Aged Care. www.medicare.gov/medigap.default.asp.

* Government Assistance Programs - Government assistance programs can also pay Senior Home costs. Schedule an appointment with your loved one's facilty administrator. They will know of any government programs that help with nursing home costs.