News Releases for June 2008
June 05, 2008
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North Dakotans Urged To Plan Ahead For Long-Term Care Needs
Outreach effort aims to educate the public about care options and a newer type of long-term care insurance that allows covered individuals to safeguard assets if they need Medicaid later and qualify.
BISMARCK, N.D. - Governor John Hoeven today launched a public awareness campaign titled Own Your Future that encourages state residents to plan ahead for their future long-term care needs. The state is partnering with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on the effort that encourages 50-65 year-olds to get the facts about Medicare, Medicaid, in-home care and other care options, and to plan financially for future long-term needs.
"The decisions people make now can impact their future quality of life. This federal-state partnership encourages people to start talking about and planning for this aspect of their retirement," Hoeven said.
Hoeven is sending letters and federal brochures to about 64,000 North Dakota households with residents who are between 50 and 65 years of age. The information encourages recipients to order a free long-term care planning kit from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Individuals who request the kit will also receive information about North Dakota services and resources.
According to the N.D. Department of Human Services, many people are not aware of the variety of in-home and facility-based long-term care services and supportive programs available in their communities, or are unprepared financially for the cost of such services. In 2007, residents in nursing homes paid an average of $58,380 in North Dakota. Medicare, the federal health coverage program for senior citizens, does not cover most nursing home stays.
"People who do not plan for this aspect of retirement often have to sell assets to pay for their care," said the department's Medicaid Director Maggie Anderson. "When those funds are spent, individuals often apply for assistance through Medicaid, the federal and state-funded medical assistance program for qualifying low-income individuals."
Anderson said that a new Partnership Program is now available in North Dakota and other states that modified their state Medicaid plans. Individuals who purchase qualifying long-term care policies can retain some of their assets if they use up their insurance benefits and qualify for Medicaid in the future.
She described the policies as a win-win. "Qualifying private policies help people pay for needed long-term care services provided in their homes or in facilities, and may also help reduce state Medicaid costs by postponing the need for Medicaid," Anderson said.
North Dakota is the latest state to participate in the federal Own Your Future public education effort that enlists the support of governors and state agencies that administer Medicaid. As of April 2008, 18 states, including South Dakota, had participated in the program.
For more details about long-term care planning, visit www.longtermcare.gov/campaign. Individuals with questions about long-term care insurance are encouraged to contact the North Dakota Insurance Department at www.nd.gov/ndins.
For information about programs and services for older adults or people with disabilities, contact the North Dakota Department of Human Services' Aging and Disability Resource LINK at 1-800-451-8693 (nation-wide toll free) or search the on-line database at www.carechoice.nd.gov.
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