A skilled nursing facility is a great place to receive care after receiving medical care in the hospital. With a Registered Nurse (RN) on duty 24/7, you can be sure you’ll receive the support you need during your stay. Due to the highly supervised environment, many people ask the question, “What does a skilled nursing facility cost?” The answer is not as simple as you would assume.
Average Cost of a Skilled Nursing Facility
The average cost of a skilled nursing facility in 2017 was $235 per day for a semi-private room and $267 for a private room. When looking at most nursing facilities in the United States, rooms ranged from $140 to $771.
For the year, a person can expect to spend between $51,096 and $281,412, if insurance doesn’t cover any of the costs associated with the stay.
In Washington, the average cost of a skilled nursing facility is $9,243 per month. Genworth’s 2017 Cost of Care research reports that semi-private nursing home care in Seattle averaged about $365 a day. While this is more than other places in the country, Seattle is known for having excellent quality of care and amenities.
Factors Involved in the Cost of a Skilled Nursing Facility
The state where the skilled nursing facility is located has a lot to do with the cost. Texas has the lowest average price for a semi-private room, and Alaska has the highest.
The cost also depends on the facility. For instance, in some parts of California, services can cost $2,829 in one facility and $27,770 at another one.
Other factors that influence the cost of a skilled nursing facility include:
- Number of years in business
- The amount of staff available
- The types of services offered
- Certifications and accreditations the facility has received
- The size of the facility and amenities available
Insurance Coverage for Skilled Nursing Facilities
Medicare will cover some of the cost of a skilled nursing facility for 100 days if it follows a hospital stay of at least three days, and the doctors recommend the facility for rehabilitation. Medicare will pay all covered costs for the first twenty-one days. Stays longer than twenty-one days will require a copayment. Any days after a hundred days are not covered and will need to be covered by the patient.
Medicaid may cover some costs associated with a skilled nursing facility, but eligibility requirements are strict, as it is only for those who have a low income. For additional information on Medicaid benefits for skilled nursing facilities, contact an attorney licensed in the same state as the person who would be using the Medicaid assistance.
Skilled Nursing Facility Costs Are Tax Deductible
The Internal Revenue Service reports that all costs associated with a skilled nursing facility are tax deductible as long as the cause for the stay is primarily medical care.
These costs include:
- Care
- Meals
- Lodging
All costs for non-medical care reasons for staying at a skilled nursing facility are not tax deductible. The only tax deductible costs are those associated with medical care, not meals or lodging expenses.
How We Can Help
We understand the financial strain a skilled nursing facility can have on your older loved one and your family. If you have any questions about the costs associated with this type of senior living option or you would like to learn about other facilities that may meet the needs of your older loved one better, call us at 425-324-5592. We are standing by to help you find the senior care services you and your loved one need during this stage of life.
Call A1 Senior Care Advisors at (425) 324-5592
