With a population of nearly 1.8 million people, Idaho has emerged as one of the fastest growing states in the US. And with stunning scenery and lower-than-average costs for health care, it’s easy to see the appeal. Many older residents opt to retire in the Gem state. Currently, 16.3% of the population is aged 65 and older. To help these retirees with their long-term care needs, the state of Idaho has 82 nursing homes available to help older residents.

Nursing homes allow seniors to receive around-the-clock supervision with access to skilled nursing professionals whenever they are needed. However, the average cost for care in a semiprivate room in a nursing home is $8,669 alone a month in Idaho, according to the 2020 Genworth Cost of Care Survey. Opting for a private room can add to this expense, as a private room in an Idaho Nursing Home costs an average of  $9,125 per month.

Looking for senior care can be daunting. In this guide, we walk through the process of finding the right Idaho senior care and help to outline ways to pay for that care. This guide also showcases resources that can help seniors stay healthy and well as they age in Idaho.

Idaho Nursing Home Care- The Cost

Idaho aligns with averages in the surrounding states when it comes to the cost of nursing home care, however the expense remains higher than the national average, which costs an average of $7,756 per month

Idaho residents pay an average of $8,669 per month for a semi-private room in Idaho, while residents of Washington and Oregon have considerably higher costs of $9,581 and $10,114, respectively. However, comparable care costs are significantly less in Utah where average care costs $6,3888 and Montana where the average cost of a semi-private room costs $7,665.

Location also plays a considerable role in determining the expense of nursing home care in Idaho. In the northern part of the state, the average falls in line with the state average. The average cost of a semi-private nursing home home costs $8,638 a month in Coeur d’Alene. In Twin Falls the seniors pay a little more per month, at $8,836. Boise stands out as the most costly place to seek senior care, as the average cost of a semi-private room reaches $9,125 per month. In contrast, Lewiston has the lowest at $7,254 per month. Idaho Falls is also on the high end of expense at $9,064, while in Pocatello, seniors pay $8,213 per month.

It should be noted that nursing home care is only one of many options for senior care in Idaho. Seniors who don’t require 24/7 supervision or skilled nursing care may consider relocating to an assisted living community. The average cost for this type of care is $3,675 a month in Idaho. Another affordable option is adult day care, which averages $2,297 per month. Both home care and home health care average $4,481 a month, based on 44 hours of care a week. Home care can allow seniors to age in place with a little extra assistance, and home health care includes basic medical care.

Paying for Nursing Home Care in Idaho

The high cost of senior care can be discouraging. However, most people do not pay for skilled nursing care solely out-of-pocket. Instead, seniors and their families can seek out financial assistance programs to help cover the cost of nursing care. Medicaid stands out among  public financial assistance programs as this program offers the most comprehensive coverage of nursing home care.

Unfortunately, not all seniors are eligible for Medicaid. Similarly, eligibility and benefits can vary from state to state, as each state operates its own Medicaid program independently under federal guidelines,

Below, we provide more information on the Medicaid program in Idaho.

Understanding Medicaid in Idaho

If you or someone you love needs specialized care and supervision around the clock, a nursing home may be the right option. Medicaid remains a popular solution to help pay for the expense associated with nursing homes. In September of 2020, 357,346 people received Medicaid and CHIP coverage in Idaho. Many of those people are seniors. Of the 82 nursing homes located in the Gem State, 75 accept Medicaid as a form of payment. There is plenty of room in these medicaid approved facilities. As of January 2021, Idaho nursing homes accommodate 6,188 seniors. Of these, there are 5,962 beds in Medicaid-approved facilities.

Idaho’s Medicaid program provides nursing home access to elderly or disabled adults who may need long-term care help. When nursing home care is needed, the program covers the expense for qualified individuals, easing the financial stress that senior care can cause. Idaho Medicaid’s Home and Community-Based Services program or the Idaho Home Choice Waiver can help residents looking to receive care services at home, providing an alternative to nursing home admission.

Am I Eligible for Medicaid  in Idaho?

In order to first qualify for Medicaid coverage seniors in Idaho must meet income and asset guidelines. Once residents qualify, they can uses these programs to help cover their long-term care costs in a nursing home or through home and community-based services,

To qualify for Medicaid, individuals could have a maximum income of $2,402 a month and have no more than $2,000 in nonexempt assets as of March 2020.

Other Medicaid Requirements Include: 

  • Residents must live in Idaho
  • Must be U.S. citizen or eligible legal immigrant
  • User must be over the age of 65

Seniors can apply for Medicaid coverage for long-term care by calling (877) 456-1233, by completing an application online or in person at their nearest Department of Health and Welfare field office.

Beyond Medicaid: Other Financial Assistance Alternatives

Some individuals may have a harder time qualifying for Medicaid than others. Fortunately, there are alternatives to help cover the expense of paying for nursing home care in Idaho.

  • Medicare: Medicare can cover the expense of care in a skilled nursing facility for the first 20 days of a person’s stay. After those 20 days have ended, Medicare can continue to pay a portion of the costs up until day 100. The resident becomes responsible for all expenses once 100 days have concluded. Seniors must also have a “qualifying hospital stay” of at least 3 days prior to their admission to a nursing home in order to qualify for coverage.
  • Aid and Attendance: Aid and Attendance is available for veterans in need of long-term care service, including paying for a skilled nursing facility. Veterans who receive a VA pension are often eligible for an Aid and Attendance benefit. This benefit offers a monthly cash allowance for veterans. Aid and Attendance is given in addition to veteran’s standard pension.
  • Reverse Mortgages: Reverse mortgages can help homeowners to take advantage of their home equity by taking out loans against the value of their home. This  essentially allows homeowners to convert some of their home’s equity into cash.  Reverse mortgages can be especially helpful for married couples when only one partner needs nursing care while the other residents continues living in their home. It should be noted that reverse mortgage loans need to be repaid with interest, typically within 12 months of receiving the loan, so this may be a better short term solution.
  • Long-Term Care Insurance:  Long-term care insurance can cover the expense of  skilled nursing care, for those who already have coverage. Most policies cover at least a portion of the cost of nursing home care, but it depends on the specific policy terms. Note that older adults who are already in need of skilled nursing care will not be eligible to sign up for a LTC insurance policy.

For more information about some of the free and low-cost resources for seniors in Idaho, visit Caring.com.