How Much Does A Skilled Nursing Facility Cost In Utah?
There are over 15,000 nursing homes in the United States that can offer services to approximately 1.6 million seniors. In addition to those served by nursing homes, some older adults opt to move into assisted living facilities or require skilled nursing care.
If you’re dealing with a medical emergency and realize you or a family member needs extra support, you may wonder if a skilled nursing facility is the right choice, and how much it costs. Let’s explore the benefits of skilled nursing facilities, the services they offer, their costs, payment options, and how Monument Health Group can help.
What Is A Skilled Nursing Facility?
Individuals may need personal assistance and medical care while recovering from a health issue. Skilled nursing facilities provide assistance and medical care to the following:
- Individuals coping with an illness
- Individuals discharged from the hospital
- Individuals recovering from an injury
- Individuals requiring post-surgical care
Skilled nursing facilities are medical facilities where these individuals can receive care from licensed medical providers. They’re staffed by medical doctors, nurses, and specialists who provide expert medical care to seniors who require medical treatment and assistance with daily activities.
Reasons individuals may need skilled nursing facility services include the following:
- Broken bones limiting mobility or ability to perform personal care tasks
- Illness, such as flu, bronchitis, or pneumonia
- Injury from an accident, such as a car accident or fall
- Medical diagnoses, such as cancer, dementia, diabetes, or heart disease
- Severe health events, such as a stroke or heart attack
In some cases, those receiving care at a skilled nursing facility may recover or learn to manage a new health condition independently. These individuals may return home upon discharge.
Skilled nursing facilities also provide care to older adults who may need to transition to other nursing homes or assisted living facilities.
What Services Are Included In Skilled Nursing Facility Costs?
A medical doctor determines patient care at skilled nursing facilities. Patients receive around-the-clock care from licensed nursing professionals and personal assistance as needed.
Depending on the facility, the following services may be included:
- Cardiac care
- Diabetic care and management
- Dietary counseling
- Infectious disease management
- IV therapy
- Medication administration and management
- Occupational therapy
- Personal care, including the following:
- Bathing
- Beautician services
- Brushing hair
- Brushing teeth
- Concierge and valet services
- Dressing
- Planning outings
- Scheduling activities
- Physical therapy
- Speech therapy
- Surgery
- Tube feedings
Those seeking skilled nursing care should prioritize facilities that offer the essential services necessary for their recovery and rehabilitation. Suppose your parent was in a car accident and has a broken leg. They may need personal care while recovering and occasional medication for pain. However, they may also require physical therapy to help them regain their balance and muscle strength, thereby preventing falls and further injuries.
Individuals diagnosed with diabetes may need dietary counseling to learn how to maintain their blood sugar levels and training to learn how to take medications. However, an individual who’s suffered a stroke or a traumatic brain injury from a fall may need to relearn how to perform routine tasks involving fine motor skills, such as buttoning shirts and brushing their teeth. These individuals would need a treatment plan developed and administered by an occupational therapist. They may also need speech therapy to relearn how to communicate verbally.
Average Cost Of Skilled Nursing Facilities In Utah
How much does a skilled nursing facility cost? The median cost in the United States for individuals seeking a private room is $10,965 per month, or approximately $361 per day. However, the state where individuals receive services is a factor that affects this cost. Individuals moving into nursing homes in Utah could expect to pay $10,114 in 2022. Since skilled nursing facilities typically charge more than nursing homes, rates for skilled nursing care in Utah may exceed the national average.
Factors That Affect The Cost
In addition to the location where you receive skilled nursing facility services, many other factors affect the cost of skilled nursing facility care.
Some of these factors include the following:
- Amenities: Individuals can expect to pay more for a skilled nursing facility that offers a higher level of amenities.
- Care requirements: Individuals requiring additional services can expect to incur higher costs. An individual who needs dietary counseling and medication management would pay less than someone requiring medication management, wound care, and occupational, physical, and speech therapy.
- Privacy: While the monthly average rate for skilled nursing care in the U.S. was $10,965 for a private room, the average monthly rate for skilled nursing care in a semi-private room was $9,555.
- Urban vs. rural: Skilled nursing facility rates are often higher in urban areas due to higher facility costs and increased demand for services.
Ways To Pay For Skilled Nursing Care
There are several possible ways to pay for skilled nursing care, including the following:
- Loans
- Medicare or Medicaid
- Pension or retirement income
- Sale of assets (such as a house)
- Savings
- Social security benefits
- Stocks
The government has established guidelines for qualifying for skilled nursing coverage through Medicare and Medicaid, and you must check to determine if you meet the eligibility requirements. Skilled nursing facility experts can help you confirm if you qualify and file appropriate paperwork to pay with Medicare or Medicaid. If you’re unsure about your payment options, reach out to your chosen skilled nursing facility to discuss your concerns.
Financial Planning Tips
Ideally, you will have savings or assets you can sell to help cover the costs of skilled nursing care. Although you may qualify for coverage through Medicare or Medicaid, these programs may not cover the total cost of care required.
Those with older family members at risk of age-related health issues or injuries may want their loved one to meet with a financial planner to identify assets that can be used to pay for care. A financial planner can also help you or your loved one develop a savings plan.
Call Monument Health Group Today
Monument Health Group understands that needing expert medical care can be a frightening experience. You or your loved one may be nervous about needing help from others to perform routine tasks and worried about how to pay for your expenses.
At Monument Health Group, we’ll explain your payment options and what you can expect from our skilled nursing care services. We’re here to help you or your loved one get expert medical and personal care to recover from an illness, injury, or surgery.