Medicaid Health Program

As part of the 1965 Social Security Act, Medicaid was established to help a variety of many population groups with their medical needs, including those that are in assisted living programs that provide long term care. With funding coming from a combination of state and federal sources, each state has slightly different regulations that are involved in their programs. However, part of the federal mandate requires the states to give some basic services to all patients on the Medicaid program. These services include outpatient hospital visits, family planning, routine checkups, laboratory services, and skilled nursing for long term care.

The vast majority of United States citizens that receive Medicaid for long term care are either disabled or are senior citizens. In addition to the standard Medicaid program, there is also a Supplementary Security Income program for those needing long term care that have low incomes. This allows nearly anyone who needs long term care to not have a financial obstacle to obtaining it. To determine if a person is eligible for this additional benefit, the local state agency must be contacted.

Senior citizens that are using Medicaid for long term care has risen rapidly in the past twenty years. In the eight year period from 1990 to 1998, there were 80% more new cases. However, the real difference is in the money spent. While the number of people increased by 80%, the actual spending on Medicaid long term care programs tripled in this time. It is estimated that the current rate of growth will see the funding needs double every seven years. At this rate, many economists and health care industry professionals see no way that the trend can continue with the amount of funding that is needed to provide adequate care to all of the patients that will be registered as Medicaid long term care recipients.