There are many ways to pay for independent living. A person who wants to live in an independent living community can use their savings, Social Security benefits, pensions, or other retirement income. If personal funds won’t cover all the costs or are not options, other external sources can help cover the cost of independent living.
Insurance
Does Medicare cover independent living costs?
Medicare is a national insurance program that provides health insurance for certain populations of people; one group is adults aged 65 and over. This health insurance program covers certain medical costs. Medicare does not cover the costs of independent living that are not medical.
For example, a medical cost that Medicare may cover is physical therapy that takes place in the home, regardless of what type of community an older person lives in. An example of a nonmedical cost that Medicare will not cover is rent at an independent living community.
To learn if Medicare covers the services a person needs, you can review the parts of the Medicare plan or read Medicare’s information on what Medicare covers and what’s not covered by Part A and Part B.
Does Medicaid cover independent living costs?
Medicaid is a national health insurance program for individuals who meet low-income and asset requirements. It is run jointly by the federal government and individual states. The federal government sets some standards, then allows states to decide the services they provide.
Each state has different Medicaid programs for the types of care they cover. Medicaid can pay for some senior care costs, but it will not pay for residency at an independent living community.
Contact the appropriate state Medicaid office to determine which services and care are covered.
Does long-term care insurance cover independent living costs?
Long-term care insurance is a type of insurance policy designed to help pay for personal care (also known as custodial care) in a variety of residential settings.
Long-term care insurance policies may vary in what they do and do not cover. Typically, policies cover personal care a person may need, but not necessarily where they live. A person who has long-term care insurance may live in an independent living community and use long-term care insurance to pay for services that help them with personal care or homemaker tasks.
It’s important to consult with the insurance provider of the person who needs care to learn which types of care the insurance policy covers and for how long those services are covered.
Does life insurance cover independent living?
Some life insurance policies can help pay for long-term care. The main options that can help cover care include combination products, accelerated death benefits, life settlements, and viatical settlements. Each type of insurance product works differently, depending on the policy and the policyholder’s situation.
- • Combination products: Some insurance providers offer plans that combine life insurance with long-term care insurance.
- • Accelerated death benefits (ADBs): Some life insurance policies have accelerated death benefits, which may be used to help pay for care. This feature of a policy allows the policyholder to take an advance on the death benefit of the policy. The dollar amount that the policyholder uses while they are still living is deducted from the benefit paid out to beneficiaries after death. A person may be able to use the ADB feature depending on the rules of their policy.
- • Whole life insurance policy: If a person has a whole life insurance policy, they may be able to use the cash value of this policy to pay.
- • Life settlements: Life settlement plans allow the policyholder to sell the policy for its value at the time, and the policyholder can use the funds as they need to. There are age restrictions for using a life settlement (typically 74 years or older for women, 70 years or older for men), and the money may also be taxed. It’s important to note that when a policyholder sells the policy to the settlement company, the company assumes responsibility for paying monthly premiums. It also receives the death benefit upon the policyholder’s death — not the previously named beneficiary.
- • Viatical settlements: Viatical settlement plans are similar to life settlement plans because they allow the policyholder to sell the policy for its value. These plans are different from life settlement plans because different rules apply to them. For example, these plans require that the policyholder has a terminal illness and less than a two-year life expectancy, typically. If the policyholder is approved, the settlement is based on a percentage of the death benefit and the life expectancy.
Each policy has different requirements and rules. It’s important to talk with the policy’s provider to determine the types of costs that the policy covers.
Sale of your home or assets
Individuals who are moving from their homes into independent living communities are leaving one of their largest assets: their homes. While some will want to keep their home in the family, others may want to sell it. Older adults who sell their homes when moving into independent living communities may be able to use the proceeds of the sale to fund their independent living community expenses.
Veterans benefits
Older adult U.S. military Veterans who meet certain criteria can utilize various benefits to help with senior care costs. Below are a few benefits that can help with senior living expenses:
- • Aid and Attendance benefit: Eligible individuals who apply and are approved receive the Aid and Attendance benefit, which provides monthly payments that can help pay for care. This benefit can help cover a variety of long-term senior care options, including in-home care, memory care, adult day care, nursing home care, and assisted living.
- • Homebound Allowance: Eligible individuals who apply with proof that they have a medical need for assistance or supervision due to a disability and are approved can receive money to help pay for the cost of care.
Bridge loans
A bridge loan is a short-term loan that individuals can use to help pay for immediate expenses while they wait for other funding to become available. Typically, these loans are used in commercial industries, like real estate.
ElderLife Financial Services offers its ElderLife Bridge Loan, which is specifically designed for people who need to secure immediate funding for senior care. For example, a person who needs to move to an independent living community may obtain an ElderLife Bridge Loan to pay for residency while they wait for their home to sell. When the home sells, the person pays off the loan and can use the proceeds from the home sale for their care. This loan helps people access funds immediately so their current financial situation doesn’t prevent them from getting the help they need.
Other financial products
There are other financial options for paying for independent living. Many factors help determine which type of loan is most appropriate: whether the person plans to stay in their home, the type of care the person needs, the person’s financial situation, and the cost of care.
Homeowners can obtain home equity loans, home equity lines of credit (HELOCs), and other personal loans to help pay for independent living.
Is independent living tax deductible?
The IRS allows some deductions for unreimbursed long-term care expenses. There are rules, limits, and criteria that must be met.
If applicable, some costs that may be tax deductible include:
- • A portion of long-term care insurance premiums.
- • Unreimbursed medically necessary long-term care.
IRS Publication 502: Medical and Dental Expenses indicates the full list of qualifying expenses. A person can claim these and other qualifying expenses only if they itemize their deductions.
Some of the criteria for determining if long-term care is tax deductible include:
- • A licensed health care provider determines the person receiving care is chronically ill.
- • Total expenses exceed 7.5% of the person’s adjusted gross income.
It is helpful to know that an adult child may be able to deduct expenses they pay for if they claim the parent as a dependent. Consult with an accountant to determine which expenses are tax deductible.
